A parliamentary election has concluded in Turkey that will determine whether President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is able to consolidate his powers under the constitution. Preliminary results could come within hours.
As The New York Times writes: "Mr. Erdogan, who was elected president last year and holds a largely ceremonial post, is not on the ballot, but he is seeking a big majority for the governing Justice and Development Party, known by its Turkish initials, A.K.P., so that he can rewrite the Constitution and establish a strong executive presidency."
The Wall Street Journal adds that Erdogan is pushing to "fundamentally transform the Turkish state" amid challenges that include an "$800 billion economy and ... national-security [risks] stemming from unrest at home and conflicts in neighboring Syria and Iraq."
Nearly 54 million people were eligible to vote in 81 provinces across Turkey for members of the 550-seat parliament.
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