Following Sunday’s controversial referendum to expand executive powers in Turkey, President Trump spoke on the phone with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president of Turkey.
“Trump spoke today with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to congratulate him on his recent referendum victory,” according to a White House press release.
State-run news agencies first reported Trump’s remarks Monday afternoon.
The referendum passed with just over 51 percent of voters voting “yes.” International election observers concluded the vote “was contested on an unlevel playing field, and the two sides in the campaign did not have equal opportunities.”
Erdogan has been president of Turkey since 2014. He served as prime minister from 2003 to 2014.
In Turkey, the presidency had been considered a head of state, rather than a head of government. As a result of the referendum, the prime ministership has been abolished. Going forward, the Turkish president will be able to bypass parliament under certain circumstances. He or she will also be able to directly appoint numerous judges.
The release also says the two discussed defeating the Islamic State and the situation in Syria. Erdogan expressed support for the U.S. missile strike in the country earlier this month.
