Erdogan unfazed by vote criticism as he hails approval to expand powers

Critics argue the reforms will hand extensive power to a man with an increasingly autocratic bent, leaving few checks and balances in place.

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has finally fulfilled his long-held ambition to expand his powers after a referendum handed him the reigns of his country's governance.

But success did not come without a cost, and his victory leaves the nation deeply divided and facing increasing tension with former allies abroad, while international monitors and opposition parties have reported numerous voting irregularities.