AKP Deputy Chairman: New Turkish Constitution to Go to Referendum
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Turkey's ruling AKP party plans to draft a new constitution with broad consensus in parliament.
- The proposed constitution will then be put to a national referendum for public approval.
- The party also discussed efforts to create a "Terror-Free Turkey" through legal regulations.
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is embarking on a path to draft a new constitution, aiming for broad consensus within the parliament before presenting it to the public for approval via a referendum. Hayati Yazฤฑcฤฑ, an AKP Deputy Chairman, announced the party's intention during a regional meeting in Abant.
Yazฤฑcฤฑ highlighted that Turkey has amended its constitution 19 times previously, with the most significant change being the transition to a presidential system following the 2016 coup attempt. He expressed confidence that the new constitution would be developed through a "sharing understanding," emphasizing the importance of national unity and fraternity as Turkey's greatest strength.
The party also addressed the ongoing efforts to establish a "Terror-Free Turkey." Yazฤฑcฤฑ stated that legal regulations are being developed to combat terrorism, assuring that these measures would not disrespect the sacrifices of martyrs or distress veterans. The party's commitment, he asserted, is to pursue what is in Turkey's and its people's best interests, aiming to eradicate the "plague" of terrorism.
Reflecting on the AKP's 25 years in power, Yazฤฑcฤฑ asserted that the party has addressed all issues comprehensively, leaving no problem unaddressed. He described the party's politics as inclusive and encompassing, emphasizing their role in building Turkey to its current state.
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.