Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged political parties to back his decision to draft a new constitution before the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for the summer of 2023.
Erdogan expressed hope that all parties in the parliament give constructive, effective and sincere support for drafting a new civil constitution.
This came in a speech he delivered during a meeting of the “Justice and Development” party on Istanbul’s Democracy and Freedom Island to mark the 61st anniversary of the May 27, 1960 first military coup d’état that had ousted the Democrat Party from the government.
“It is very good for the parliament to approve the new draft constitution in preparation for submitting it for the Turkish people for assessment.”
Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Erdogan’s nationalist ally, had earlier announced preparing a new draft constitution consisting of 100 articles to institutionalize the presidential system that was implemented in 2018.
However, all opposition parties refused the idea of drafting a new constitution and considered it an attempt to change the country’s agenda and divert attention from the challenges it has been facing, especially the economic crisis.
They adhered to enhancing the parliamentary system, which is “capable of resolving all the problems,” and have been calling for holding early elections.
Erdogan also slammed the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and accused it of fascism and spreading rumors.
“The CHP did not hesitate to show its reckless fascist mentality by supporting the coups,” he stressed.
Erdogan also condemned the party’s calls to hold early elections, noting that they seek to end his rule and try him for treason.
