Turkey: No, No, 4,000,000 Times No

More than 10 million Turks streamed to the polls last week to vote on a new constitution, the first the country has had since the regime of Premier Adnan Menderes was overthrown nearly 14 months ago.

Besides the constitutional issue, the referendum was widely accepted as a test of strength for ex-President Ismet Inonu's Republican Party. The new constitution won, but not by a landslide. Surprisingly, almost 4,000,000 voted "no."

Few Turks opposed the constitution itself, which provides for a two-house legislature, a seven-year term for the President, land reform, and a...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!