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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has insisted that his plans to assume sweeping new powers do not make him a dictator.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Erdogan said that a constitutional reform package -- backed by a narrow majority of Turkey's voters in a referendum Sunday -- was not about him.

"I am a mortal, really. I could die at any time," he told Becky Anderson inside Ankara's presidential palace Tuesday.

Erdogan rejected accusations that the new powers were aimed at personal gain rather than improving Turkey's political system. "The system represents a change, a transformation in the democratic history of Turkey," he said.

CNNi will broadcast the entire Erdogan interview tonight at 11 ET.

Turkish voters were asked to vote on a constitutional reform package put forward by the ruling Justice and Development Party -- founded by Erdogan -- that would transform the country's parliamentary system into a powerful executive presidency. 

The margin of victory for the "Yes" vote was razor-thin. Opposition parties have promised to challenge the outcome.

US President Donald Trump was quick to call and congratulate Erdogan after the referendum results were announced.  

A senior official with the Trump administration said the President did not raise any concerns about the referendum, describing that part of the phone call as a "simple congrats." The call was mainly focused on Syria, the official said.

His congratulations stand in contrast to the more cautious tone adopted by the US State Department, which issued a statement warning against further repression of the political opposition by the Turkish government.

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