Amity defines referendum campaigning in Aegean Turkey

By Ferdi Uzun and Yusuf Sahbaz

AYDIN, Turkey (AA) - Less than two weeks before Turkey's referendum on constitutional change, both Yes and No camps were on the streets of the Aegean city of Aydin on Tuesday.

Campaigners from both sides spoke to Anadolu Agency, stressing Turkish unity and solidarity whatever the April 16 result may be.

Supporters of different political parties shared the same space in the city’s Ataturk Square to campaign.

Party music could be heard across the square as activists engaged with passers-by, trying to convince them of their case.

One crowd of Yes voters, bearing t-shirts with Evet [Turkish for ‘yes’], moved through the square while nearby No activists handed out flyers to the public.

Supporters of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party -- which wants a Yes result -- and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) -- fighting for a No -- put their arguments to Aydin residents on a warm spring day.

"I love the atmosphere here," campaigner Hulya Ezelcan told Anadolu Agency.

"Everybody conducts their own campaigns in friendship and fraternity," she added.

Another campaigner, Ensar Gokce, stressed the need for respect for all views and said:

"All, whether they will say Yes or No, are people of this country. We should respect both," Gokce said, adding the spirit in Aydin was a model for other Turkish provinces.

On April 16, Turkish voters will be asked to vote Yes or No to an 18-article constitutional reform bill.

The constitutional changes have been discussed since Recep Tayyip Erdogan was voted in president in August 2014. The 18-article bill was passed by parliament in January this year.

Reforms would hand wide-ranging executive powers to the president and the post of prime minister would be abolished. The president would also be allowed to retain ties to a political party.

Other changes would see the minimum age for parliamentary candidates reduced to 18 and the number of lawmakers rise to 600.