This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-could-put-eu-talks-to-a-referendum-next-year-erdogan-says-a7416576.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Turkey could put EU talks to a referendum next year, says Erdogan | Turkey could put EU talks to a referendum next year, says Erdogan |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Turkey could hold a referendum on whether to continue membership discussions with the European Union next year, President Tayyip Erdogan has said. | |
| The controversial leader repeated that Brussels needed to "make up its mind" on Turkish membership. | |
| European Union foreign ministers were meeting on Monday to consider halting membership talks with Turkey over its perceived move away from democratic principles. | |
| A military coup in July prompted President Erdogan to arrest and detain thousands of military leaders, academics, journalists and opponents, | |
| Since the failed putsch, many people have alleged on social media that the armed uprising in which more than 250 people were killed was orchestrated by the government. | |
| Mr Erdogan is currently looking to expand his powers by changing the Turkish constitution. | |
| In a speech in Ankara broadcast live on television, Mr Erdogan said Turks should be patient until the end of the year, when a vote could be held on EU membership. | |
| "Let's wait until the end of the year and then go to the people. Let's go to the people since they will make the final call. Even Britain went to the people. Britain said 'let's exit', and they left," Mr Erdogan said. | "Let's wait until the end of the year and then go to the people. Let's go to the people since they will make the final call. Even Britain went to the people. Britain said 'let's exit', and they left," Mr Erdogan said. |
| He lambasted European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who said this month the detention of opposition politicians and the extent of post-coup purges "call into question the basis for the sustainable relationship between the EU and Turkey". | He lambasted European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who said this month the detention of opposition politicians and the extent of post-coup purges "call into question the basis for the sustainable relationship between the EU and Turkey". |
| "What are you? Since when do you have the authority to decide for Turkey? How can you, who have not taken Turkey into the EU for 53 years, find the authority to make such a decision?" Mr Erdogan said. | "What are you? Since when do you have the authority to decide for Turkey? How can you, who have not taken Turkey into the EU for 53 years, find the authority to make such a decision?" Mr Erdogan said. |
| "This people makes its own decisions, cuts its own umbilical cord," he said. | "This people makes its own decisions, cuts its own umbilical cord," he said. |
| Mr Erdogan also said he would approve reinstating the death penalty – a move that would likely end any hope of Turkish membership in the EU – if parliament passed a law on it, and said that too could be part of a referendum. | Mr Erdogan also said he would approve reinstating the death penalty – a move that would likely end any hope of Turkish membership in the EU – if parliament passed a law on it, and said that too could be part of a referendum. |
| Turkey is expected to hold a national vote on constitutional changes next spring, including boosting the powers of Erdogan's office to create a Turkish version of the presidential system in the United States or France. | Turkey is expected to hold a national vote on constitutional changes next spring, including boosting the powers of Erdogan's office to create a Turkish version of the presidential system in the United States or France. |