Ankara: Istanbul authorities yesterday said 2,000 Syrian families in the city could be set for Turkish citizenship but the government insisted approval would only come after an April referendum on boosting the president's powers.
"Until now in Istanbul, documents have been prepared and sent for further processing to the (interior) ministry for 2,000 families," Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin told reporters in Istanbul. Shortly after Sahin's comments were reported, Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak insisted it would not be approved before the referendum on creating an executive presidency.
Turkey will vote on April 16 on whether to boost President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers under a system the government says would be like France or the United States.
"Let there be no doubt in anyone's mind, we are not working on granting citizenship before the referendum," he said, quoted by NTV broadcaster. "There are are 55 million voters in the country — even if 15,000 to 20,000 become citizens and use their vote, would the result change?" he said.
