If the amendment takes place, it will be the 20th in the history of amendments that have been made to the current constitution since it was written in 1982, including 12 amendments during the time of the Justice and Development Party which rules the country. since 2002. , most of which have resulted in reducing the influence of the military in the system of government.
A Turkish political analyst, speaking to ‘Sky News Arabia’, puts his expectations on what the government can do in the new amendment, with the paucity of government statements in this regard.
ambiguity in statements
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his government’s intention to reintroduce a previous proposal to amend the constitution, saying, “We will again present our constitutional amendment proposal to parliament.” Regarding the objective of the amendment, he added in his inauguration speech: “We will strengthen our democracy with a new free, civil and inclusive constitution, and we will free ourselves from the current constitution, which is the result of a coup military state”. In turn, the new Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc, said in his first statement after taking office that Turkey deserved a “new democratic and civil constitution” which corresponds to what he described as the “Turkish century”, and completes the previous changes. in the constitution which provided for “the prosecution of the putschists and the abolition of martial law”. .
Opposition Terms
The modification of the constitution was part of the program of the opposition coalition “La Nation” during the last presidential and legislative elections, in its effort to restore the parliamentary system of government which the Justice and Development Party transformed into a system presidential during the 2017 amendment.
The senior adviser to the chairman of the Republican People’s Party, the largest opposition party and one of the founders of the “nation” coalition, and Istanbul representative Erdogan Toprak commented on Erdogan’s statements saying “We are ready to cooperate if the proposal is sincere, in the presence of a civil constitution that respects human rights and the law”, as well as respect for freedoms, equality, women and political and economic democracy, as he said.
However, Toprak, skeptical of the forthcoming amendments, pointed out that previous constitutional amendments overseen by the government “were not as expected”, with regard to “women’s rights, freedom of belief and ethnic differences and nuns”.
He continued: “If the government is serious and honest about the idea of implementing a constitution that would truly end the system of authoritarian administration, restore the authority and prestige of the parliament and bring Turkey to the level of modern democracies with the broadest consensus. and parliamentary cooperation, we will make all possible contributions.”
Expected changes
Turkish political analyst, Islam Ozjan, notes that the amendments have not yet been clearly announced, except for indications that the paragraphs put in place by the putschists should be removed, as Mehmet Ojum said. , the adviser to the president.
Ozgan tells “Sky News Arabia” about his expectations for the upcoming changes:
It can be about consolidating the presidential system of government that combines powers in one hand, and imposing a fait accompli on the opposition to accept it. Erdogan may be considering adding a clause allowing him to serve more than two terms. The President’s moves are always aimed at strengthening his position, and I have no doubt that even if he accepts a bill that reduces his powers in certain areas, he will be balanced and will have sufficient compensation by increasing his powers in other areas. other areas. The amendments aim to improve relations with the West and for Erdogan to gain legitimacy as an actor in the international system. Changes can include substances that cause problems in the economy. Changes can be made to support the conservative and religious segment, such as with regard to the veil.
Constitutional life began in Turkey in the 19th century, and the 20th century saw the drafting of several constitutions, in 1921 published during the War of Independence, and following the republican declaration of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the 1924 constitutions , 1961 and 1982 were published.
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