The Turkish public's approval of constitutional reform takes that country to a critical moment. The impetus for changing the national charter was the desire to build a stronger democracy, a change that would better align Turkey with Europe and eliminate another obstacle in the drive to join the European Union.
Critics warn, however, that the reform has a darker side, and that it represents the first steps toward the creation of an Islamist state. The critics are probably wrong. But while the changes are to be applauded, attention must be paid to signs of the consolidation of power in the country's executive — a dangerous temptation, no matter whether the government is secular or religious.
Turkey's current constitution was drawn up in the 1980s by a government installed by a military coup. Thirty years later, the country has been transformed. Most notably, the power of the military has receded and a more pluralistic political society has emerged. Urged on by the European Union, the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan laid out a package of 26 measures that would reduce the role of the military in Turkish society and better protect human rights and put them to the Turkish public for consideration.