Bahçeli's Strong Reaction to the Debates Regarding Article 66 of the Constitution

21.10.2025 11:30

In a statement regarding the current issues on the agenda during the party group meeting, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli reacted to the discussions about Article 66 of the Constitution by saying, "Engaging in polemics regarding Article 66 of the Constitution, sniffing the air, testing the ground, and resorting to black propaganda is an absurd endeavor, and its end and result will be disappointment."

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The leader of the MHP, Bahçeli, made important statements regarding current issues at his party's parliamentary group meeting. Stating that "After 81 Düzce, the 82nd must be the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, it is now a matter of life and death," Bahçeli also put an end to the discussions regarding Article 66 of the Constitution.

Bahçeli stated, "To share power with the state, to create rivals, to hope for the sharing of authority; trying to fragment democracy by localizing or privatizing it is a reckless search that opens the way to disaster." He added, "Especially reducing Turkishness to an ethnic structure with the mantra of constitutional citizenship, aiming to eliminate it from the constitution, is nothing more than a consolation that is no different from saying 'Amen' to a prayer. Engaging in polemics regarding Article 66 of the Constitution, sniffing the air, testing the ground, and entering into black propaganda is an absurd endeavor that leads to failure and disappointment."

Bahçeli's statements on the subject;

"The Turkish state is an indivisible whole with its country and nation. Our goal of a 'Terror-free Turkey' is to protect and secure this eternal integrity in every aspect in the new century.

As far as I have closely observed and considered, a mechanism of conspiracy has been in operation recently, designed to undermine, destroy, and intimidate the steps towards a 'Terror-free Turkey'; advanced with different justifications. Words, claims, and requests that touch the nerve endings of the Turkish nation are, believe me, aimed at diluting the environment of peace, tranquility, and brotherhood.

A 'Terror-free Turkey' is not a disguise, camouflage, or secret refuge for a divided or collapsed Turkey. On the contrary, those who serve this goal are under obligations that they cannot escape in the presence of history, law, and the nation.

The values that dominate the establishment of parliaments shape the politics, philosophy, and governance principles of those countries. They determine the essence of the regime, the morality of politics, the goals of society, and the responsibilities of the state and citizens. The summary of all of them is political wisdom. If this political wisdom is sincere, honest, and persistent in democracy, it will be the basis for courageous decisions.

"DO NOT FALL INTO THE HASTE OF SHARING NON-EXISTENT BOOTY."

The National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission established in the Gazi Parliament will prepare and organize the democratic and legal parameters of the Terror-free Turkey goal with such political wisdom and a broad structure of surrender. Falling into the haste of sharing non-existent booty while the caravan is on the road, desiring it, and seeing it as the sole agenda is a deviation and distortion that cannot be explained with good intentions.

The fourth truth I want to express and emphasize is this: There is no validity or worth discussing any imposition or proposal that would break the unity, integrity, and solidarity spirit of the Turkish nation with the founding values of the Republic of Turkey; it is unthinkable for it to exist. Creating a magical situation and going overboard with political ambitions does not benefit anyone. Ambition renders the three fundamental powers of life—will, faith, and reason—barren.

Our late teacher, Prof. Dr. Ali Fuat Başgil, used to say: 'The choice of democracy in Turkey is hypocritical. Indecisive and faithless politicians maintain this hypocrisy. You will see that we will be discussing the same things fifty years from now.' I call out to my interlocutors: Let us not discuss the same things. Let us not exploit the pains of the past to sabotage the future. Let us not tarnish the honor, memories, and love of our martyrs and veterans for their homeland and nation.

"OUR STATE IS CLEAR"

Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood should be embraced hand in hand, heart to heart, as a model of sacrifice, wisdom, selflessness, and integration; as a blessed symbol of our existence, climbing to the captain's bridge of humanity. Our party is the defender of a political thought that derives its strength from the nation. That is why our name is the Nationalist Movement. No stronger alternative or force has yet been found than the state of being a nation.

By being a nation, the face of the earth and the call of history have changed. By being a nation, national states have been born. Democracies have been nourished and developed from the reality of the nation. The fundamental truth we cannot pass is the sovereignty of the nation and the truth of the nation. Nationalism is the conscious understanding and conceptualization of this truth. Our nation is clear; its name is the Turkish nation. Whatever we do, we will do it inspired by this national reality. Our state is clear; it is the Republic of Turkey.

To share power with the state, to create rivals, to hope for the sharing of authority; trying to fragment democracy by localizing or privatizing it is a reckless search that opens the way to disaster. Especially reducing Turkishness to an ethnic structure with the mantra of constitutional citizenship, aiming to eliminate it from the constitution, is nothing more than a consolation that is no different from saying 'Amen' to a prayer. Engaging in polemics regarding Article 66 of the Constitution, sniffing the air, testing the ground, and entering into black propaganda is an absurd endeavor that leads to failure and disappointment.

"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR US TO SUPPORT THIS"

The state of being a nation does not mean denying the subcultures, dialects, and even identities that constitute it. In this respect, the Nationalist Movement Party's understanding of the nation is not alienating or distancing; it has never been. The call of 'How happy is the one who says I am a Turk,' articulated entirely on a cultural axis, has represented a unity in shared excitement and consciousness. We have never approached a mentality that highlights, scratches, rejects, belittles, obstructs, or bans anyone's origin or sect; it is absolutely impossible for us to support this.

In the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the concept of the nation played a unifying role; differences such as ethnic origin, language, and religion were not considered. The Republic of Turkey has accepted its citizens as equal and respected individuals of the Turkish nation. The Republic of Turkey has established the will of the Turkish nation to live together and share the same destiny. Our party embraces our compatriots within the definition of the Turkish nation.

"THOSE WHO DENY THE KURD WILL DENY THE NATION"

The fifth truth I want to express and emphasize is this: Our Kurdish brothers played an original and important role in the establishment of the Republic of Turkey; they have definitely not been ignored in the following years. Those who deny the Kurd will deny the nation; they will undermine Turkey. The undermining of Turkey is an invitation and an order for destruction.

The political and diplomatic view that our state will not neglect after its establishment is to achieve the goal of a terror-free Turkey and a terror-free region through brotherhood and peaceful dialogues. This is a comforting, heartwarming, hopeful, beneficial, and necessary goal for all of our common future.

As Mustafa Kemal Atatürk said: A peace aimed at ensuring Turkey's security, which is not against any nation, will be our principle. I would like to remind once again that our dignified softness, our rational approach, and the mind that formulates surrender as a whole, will be astonished; I will meet their foreheads inch by inch. We are determined to reject, repel, and imply every type of terrorism.

"OPENING THE DOORS IS NOT ENOUGH"

I firmly believe that: The chest of the Turkish nation, filled with love for the homeland, will always stand tall like a steel wall against the curses of its enemies. Where fear and hope contradict and clash, the power that grasps the true value of the future is undoubtedly common sense. Our existence gains meaning in the decree of divine providence. This meaning is the light within the infinite and eternal universe.

Time is unique. The decree of divine providence prevails between life and death. This decree is tolerance that is not prejudiced in faith. This tolerance is embodied with love. This love is the moment when a person finds and unites with God in their essence. This means will pave the way for laying the marble of paradise on the ground of divine peace.

Opening the doors is not enough; the doors of hearts and souls must also be opened with goodwill. In our hearts, in our souls, at our door, in our embrace, it is wide open to the end. As I conclude my words, I greet you all with love; I wish you a week full of success. Thank you, be well, and I say may you be entrusted to God.