On April 17, at 11.00, an expert discussion of the results of Turkey’s April 16 constitutional referendum will be held at Valdai Discussion Club Conference Hall (Bolshaya Tatarskaya 42).

       This referendum might well draw the line under the history of the parliamentary republic and turn Turkey toward a super-presidential form of government. On the one hand, curbing the powers of parliament and government may foreshadow both new era in Turkish history, one hundred years after Ataturk. On the other hand, it may end up being only a deviation from the historical path, the consequences of which may be undone by the next head of state.

       What will Turkey look like after the referendum? What kind of partner will it be for to its neighbors and allies? How should the international community react to the consolidation of power in the hands of one man? What would be the best course for Russia’s Turkey policy following the referendum? These and other issues will be discussed during the event.

       Moderator:

       Timofei Bordachev, Programme Director, Valdai Club Foundation, Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University – Higher School of Economics.

       Speakers:

       · Vladimir Avatkov, associate professor at Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation;

       · Mirko Hempel, Director, Friedrich Ebert Foundation Moscow

       · Soli Ozel, Senior Lecturer, Kadir Has University in Istanbul (via Skype).

       Information for media: to attend, please fill the accreditation form or call +7 915 077 97 22 (Mariya Miklushevskaya, Public Relations Division).