Post-referendum, what’s next for Turkey’s EU bid?
EU foreign ministers disappoint Turkey’s democratic opposition by declaring “respect” for referendum results that further empower President Erdogan.
![Par8292706 Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks on as he is welcomed by European Parliament President at the European Parliament in Brussels, on October 5, 2015, as part of a meeting with the European Union's top officials for urgent talks on the migration crisis and the Syrian war that is producing so many of the refugees. AFP PHOTO /EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2017/05/GettyImages-491414476.jpg/GettyImages-491414476.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=9ODQ-huY)
Turkish-EU ties appeared set on a collision course before the April 16 referendum that aimed to increase the powers of the Turkish presidency by switching Turkey to a presidential system of government and, by extension, increasing the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Accusations about dictatorial tendencies were leveled at Erdogan; he countered by accusing European leaders of acting like Nazis and supporting terrorists and coup plotters against Turkey.
Now that Erdogan has gotten what he wants from the referendum, regardless of the continuing debate about the fairness of the vote, tensions between Ankara and the EU may be subsiding.