An illustration of the tension just days ahead of a key referendum in Turkey: Some 7,300 members of the DSP leftist party have resigned en masse because they plan to defy their party and vote ‘yes’ to constitutional reform in the September 12 poll.

The head of the DSP party in the eastern province of Mus said the resignations included everybody in the party heirachy in the province. He says they want a brighter future without military juntas.

The ruling AK Justice and Development Party argues that the changes to the constitution, drawn up under military rule in 1982, will bolster democracy.

But opposition parties claim the amendments are simply designed to strengthen the ruling party’s influence.

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