AKP Advocates for Nationally-Drafted Constitution, Decided by Referendum

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is pushing for a new constitution, emphasizing that its creation is the inherent right of the nation and should be free from the influence of past coups. Hayati Yazıcı, Deputy Chairman of the AKP and Head of its Political and Legal Affairs, stated that the "Turkey Century" vision is built upon a strong economy, democracy, law, and state.

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Turkey Century; is the name of the vision of a strong economy, strong democracy, strong law, and a strong state. Turkey Century is the name of the great Turkey ideal that draws strength from its past and builds its future with confidence.

Yazıcı asserted that making a constitution is the people's right, as sovereignty belongs to the nation. He referenced Turkey's constitutional history, noting that previous constitutions, including those from 1961 and 1982, were drafted under military juntas following coups. "These coup plotters made the constitution, putting aside the will of the nation," he said, adding that Turkey is still governed by a constitution of that nature. He declared that drafting a new constitution, reflecting the nation's free will, is a top agenda item for the upcoming period.

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Making a constitution is the right of the nation. Because the owner of sovereignty is the nation, and the saying 'Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation' is present in the important meeting halls of political institutions, primarily parliament.

Highlighting the current global and regional instability, Yazıcı expressed Turkey's aspiration to be a beacon of hope with a new constitution for humanity. The AKP has been preparing its proposals for a new constitution for a year through its dedicated commission. Yazıcı extended a sincere invitation to all political parties to contribute to the process of creating a new, civilian constitution.

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The most important agenda item for the upcoming period is to make a new constitution that is the product of the nation's free will. Well-functioning and institutionalized democracy is our greatest gain.

He stressed that the demand for a new constitution originates directly from the Turkish people, not from any single political party. The AKP views the constitutional reform process not as a matter of daily political maneuvering or personal ambition, but as a historical responsibility for the nation's future. Yazıcı believes all parties should approach this issue constructively, free from prejudice. Ultimately, he affirmed that the final decision on the new constitution will rest with the people through a referendum, reinforcing the principle that constitution-making is a right exclusive to the nation.

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As Turkey, we seriously aim to be a country that offers hope with a new constitution for humanity in a period when global and regional developments are accelerating, and wars, conflicts, genocides, and crimes against people are becoming commonplace.