This discussion has more to it! Four parties veto the new constitution.

29.05.2025 18:20

The leader of the Future Party, Ahmet Davutoğlu, visited the leader of the New Welfare Party, Fatih Erbakan. After their meeting, the two leaders held a joint press conference, during which they closed the door on the ongoing discussions about a new Constitution. Thus, the number of parties that have vetoed the new Constitution has already risen to four, including the CHP and the Good Party.

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Fatih Erbakan, the Chairman of the New Welfare Party (YRP), met with Ahmet Davutoğlu, the Chairman of the Future Party, at his party's headquarters.

THEY CLOSED THE DOOR ON THE NEW CONSTITUTION

After a meeting lasting approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, the two leaders appeared before the cameras to make a joint press statement. Addressing the ongoing discussions about the new Constitution, Erbakan and Davutoğlu closed the door to changes.

ERBAKAN: I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS THAT WE WILL OPPOSE A PERSONALIZED CONSTITUTION

Fatih Erbakan, who was the first to speak among the two leaders, said the following regarding the discussions on the new Constitution: "There can be no objection to changing a Constitution that has remained from the September 12 period, and to making a Constitution that will be more democratic, liberal, and will further highlight human rights. We are already facing a Constitution that has been changed many times and has become a patchwork quilt.

At this point, changes and corrections can be made. We will, of course, support steps aimed at re-establishing the separation of powers, strengthening the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and democratizing the current presidential system. If a Constitution is to be made to facilitate the re-election of the President, I would like to express that there will be no personalized Constitution at this point, and therefore we will oppose it."

DAVUTOĞLU: WE CONSIDER CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES THAT WILL AUTHORITARIANIZE AS BETRAYAL

Davutoğlu expressed the following regarding the new Constitution agenda: "The strongest argument of the President and all past political leaders in the discussions about the new Constitution was the argument to change the 'coup Constitution.' I have always been a supporter of this idea. Turkey is not in a position to bear the burden of the September 12 coup Constitution. Conditions have changed. Turkey needs to have a Constitution that truly reflects the national will and our national values by adapting to these conditions. However, after agreeing on this fundamental principle, we start to differ in method. We see the necessity of the new Constitution of the Republic of Turkey to be made with complete national consensus, responding to the needs of all segments of society, within the framework of human rights, based on the principle of separation of powers, and not serving the interests of any individual, party, or person, but rather strengthening the collective interests of the nation and the future vision of the nation, rather than anyone's desire for power.

Looking at the signals coming from the ruling side, we see that the idea of a Constitution based on freedom of thought and human rights is more about further consolidating the excessive power of the government, which gives the judiciary and the legislature to the executive, and gives the executive to one person. Signals are coming for a Constitution that will allow the President to be elected once again. If these signals are the case, of course, our position will be clear and straightforward. On behalf of the Future Party, I say that our common goal is the construction of a democratic rule of law that respects national values and is worthy of humanity. We see a tactical background that aims to ignore the economic problems on the agenda, the issues that burden the people's pockets, by keeping the Constitution on the agenda. We should not play this game anymore. We went through 2017 with a referendum like this. The cost of the constitutional change made in 2017 was paid by the nation becoming even poorer. Now, with excitement, they say 'new Constitution,' but what will be the cost of that? We do not find any discussions aimed at changing the agenda to be correct. We see constitutional changes that do not rely on human rights and will further authoritarianize authoritarian regimes as betrayal to Turkey."

THE GOOD PARTY AND CHP HAD ALSO VETOED

While it remains a matter of curiosity which parties will support the new Constitution discussions, reactions have also come from the Good Party and CHP. Good Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu, in a statement regarding the constitutional amendment at his party's group meeting in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), said, "Turkey cannot be held hostage for an illegitimate constitutional amendment so that those who govern it can continue to govern it until death."

CHP leader Özgür Özel also stated, "Buckle up, we will crash to the ground once again. Every time you say this (Constitution), we face disaster. If you are going to produce a solution, based on your past practices, it is not possible for us to expect such a thing. We cannot make an omelet with the one who does all of this, let alone a Constitution."

NEW CONSTITUTION DISCUSSIONS

While the AKP and MHP support the process in the new Constitution discussions, DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit also recently stated, "Turkey needs a new Constitution."