IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
Image: A man holds a child as they wait for President Erdogan t appear for a speech at the AKP headquarters in Istanbul, on April 16.

Photo

Protests and Parties: Turkish President Claims Referendum Victory

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's win on Sunday will greatly expand the powers of his office as he tells opponents, "it's too late now."

/ 17 PHOTOS
Image: A woman supporting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves a Turkish national flag as she celebrates during a rally near the headquarters of the conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) on April 16, 2017, in Istanbul.

A woman supporting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves a Turkish national flag as she celebrates during a rally near the headquarters of the conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) on April 16, 2017, in Istanbul.

Erdogan hailed Turkey for making a "historic decision" as he claimed victory in the national referendum on a new constitution expanding his powers. The "Yes" campaign to give the president expanded powers won in a tightly-contested referendum although the "No" camp had closed the gap, according to initial results. But Turkey's two main opposition parties said they would challenge the results.

— Ozan Kose / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Supporters of Turkey's president wave flags and brandish smoke bombs during a rally after the initial results of a nationwide referendum.

Supporters of Turkey's president wave flags and brandish smoke bombs during a rally after the initial results of a nationwide referendum.

— Ozan Kose / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A man holds a child as they wait for President Erdogan t appear for a speech at the AKP headquarters in Istanbul, on April 16.

A man holds a child as they wait for President Erdogan to appear for a speech at the AKP headquarters in Istanbul, on April 16.

— Bulent Kilic / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Supporters of the president celebrate the victory of the ''Yes'' campaign near Taksim Square, in Istanbul. The constitutional referendum will give President Erdogan more power by introducing a presidential system.

Supporters of the president celebrate the victory of the ''Yes'' campaign near Taksim Square, in Istanbul. The constitutional referendum will give President Erdogan more power by introducing a presidential system.

— Can Erok / Abaca
Image: Opponents of the referendum chant slogans as they protest in Istanbul into the early Monday morning hours, April 17.

Opponents of the referendum chant slogans as they protest in Istanbul into the early Monday morning hours, April 17. Hundreds of demonstrators marched in a central neighborhood, clanking pots and pans and chanting "this is just the beginning, the struggle will continue."

— Cansu Alkaya / AP
Image: Protesters take to the streets in Istanbul as the first results of the referendum emerge, April 16.

Protesters take to the streets in Istanbul as the first results of the referendum emerge, April 16.

— Yasin Akgul / AFP - Getty Images
Image: People celebrate late into the night in Istanbul, April 16.

People celebrate late into the night in Istanbul, April 16.

— Ozan Kose / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A woman flashes a four finger sign called \"the rabia sign\" as she celebrates and waits to greet the Turkish president when he arrives for his speech in Istanbul, April 16.

A woman flashes a four finger sign called "the rabia sign" as she celebrates and waits to greet the Turkish president when he arrives for his speech in Istanbul, April 16.

— Bulent Kilic / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Erdogan's supporters celebrate in Istanbul.

Erdogan's supporters celebrate in Istanbul.

— Can Erok / Abaca
Image: Protesters take to the streets in Istanbul.

Protesters take to the streets in Istanbul.

— Cansu Alkaya / AP
Image: Riot police officers detain a protester outside the Supreme Electoral Board in Ankara, late Sunday night, April 16.

Riot police officers detain a protester outside the Supreme Electoral Board in Ankara, late Sunday night, April 16.

— Burhan Ozbilici / AP
Image: A man reads Posta newspaper bearing a headline which translates as \"Yes to New System\" in Istanbul on April 17.

A man reads Posta newspaper bearing a headline which translates as "Yes to New System" in Istanbul on April 17.

— Yasin Akgul / AFP - Getty Images
Image: The president is greeted by his supporters as he leaves Esenboga Airport in a bus in Ankara, April 17.

The president is greeted by his supporters as he leaves Esenboga Airport in a bus in Ankara, April 17.

— Yasin Bulbul / Reuters
Image: President Erdogan greets people, accompanied by Turkish parliamentary speaker Ismail Kahraman after praying at Eyup Sultan mosque in Istanbul, April 17.

President Erdogan greets people, accompanied by Turkish parliamentary speaker Ismail Kahraman after praying at Eyup Sultan mosque in Istanbul, April 17.

— Sedat Suna / EPA
Image: Supporters of the president await his arrival to Ankara on April 17.

Supporters of the president await his arrival to Ankara on April 17.

— Elif Sogut / Getty Images
Image: The president's supporters wave national flags as they await his arrival at the Presidential Palace on April 17.

The president's supporters wave national flags as they await his arrival at the Presidential Palace on April 17.

— Elif Sogut / Getty Images
Image: Supporters celebrate while waiting for President Erdogan to arrive at the presidential palace.

Supporters celebrate while waiting for President Erdogan to arrive at the presidential palace.

— Elif Sogut / Getty Images
1/17