02.05.2026 19:04
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that the constitution is not only a framework for a state's governance but also represents a legal and moral contract between the nation and the state, saying, 'At the point we have reached today, our current constitution unfortunately falls short in the face of national security threats, social peace, changing world conditions, evolving societal structures, and increasing demands for rights and freedoms. A new constitution is a necessity.'
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, in his speech at the opening program of the "Political School" organized in collaboration with the National Turkish Student Union (MTTB) and Istanbul University (IU) at the MTTB Headquarters in Fatih, said that MTTB is a school where thought gains character, faith turns into action, and will finds its backbone.
"IT HAS SUCCEEDED IN DISRUPTING GAMES BUILT ON THE NATION"
Stating that MTTB not only produces words but also sets direction, Gürlek said, "The cadres raised under this roof have shaped Turkey's destiny, and one of the most distinguished representatives of those cadres is Mr. İsmail Kahraman, who is among us. I present my respects to him not only as a senior political figure but also as a memory of direction and a cause."
Emphasizing that politics is not against the nation but the will to walk together with the nation, Gürlek stressed that beyond all possible definitions, the safest harbor of politics is morality.
Noting that Turkey's recent history is full of political struggle adventures, Gürlek stated, "In our recent political history, many tragedies have occurred, our democracy has experienced serious ailments, and our political culture has been pushed into dark corridors with crises created without even giving it a chance to mature. Each time, the nation has continued to preserve its faith, and with patience and dignity, it has succeeded in disrupting games built on the nation at the ballot box, the most important exit path of politics."
"NO INSIDIOUS SCHEME CAN BE SET AGAINST THIS NATION"
Explaining that the sensible and patient stance of the Turkish nation enabled the swift elimination of the junta's tutelage from the 1980 coup, Gürlek said that with the 1983 elections, the democratic sphere took a new breath through the nation's will, but the other instruments of the tutelary system did not remain idle.
Minister Gürlek also touched on the February 28 process, continuing his words: "The junta's statement that 'February 28 will last a thousand years' is a dark stain on Turkish political life. The 1982 Constitution imposed on this nation by the junta understanding of the period emerges as a legal-looking tutelage that complicates conditions for our democratic life, social peace, and developing Turkey. By the 1990s, we begin to witness the determination of the struggle of a leader who would change the destiny of Turkish political history. In these years, the most important figure on our political stage is undoubtedly our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who begins to flourish in the hearts of the nation with a new language, a new style, and a new hope. That march starting in Istanbul is not just an ordinary municipality story; the step taken that day is the resurgence of a suppressed will, a postponed self-confidence, and a silenced nation. It is the cry of 'We are the voice of the silent majority.'"
Gürlek conveyed that the AK Party came to power in 2002 through the nation's deep foresight, followed by President Erdoğan taking office, and said, "This courage and heartfelt struggle, this love for the nation is the fight for existence of that sacred national will, where tears mix with hopes in many homes, many families, and many individuals. Threats have never ended and will never end. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's words 'We set out on this path with our shrouds' are not a cliché political phrase."
Gürlek also touched on the April 27 "e-memorandum," Gezi Park incidents, and the July 15 coup attempt, saying, "Now everyone in this country knows very well that no insidious scheme can be set against this nation. No order can be built contrary to the consent of this nation."
"TURKEY'S DESTINY CHANGED BY SWEEPING AWAY THE REMNANTS OF OUR TUTELARY SYSTEM"
Addressing the youth, Gürlek said, "If you cannot be powerful in politics, it is impossible to reflect your ideals." He stated, "Turkey's destiny changed by sweeping away the remnants of our tutelary system from this country. Changing Turkey's destiny essentially means changing the destiny of the world and the region."
Minister Gürlek emphasized that Turkey is moving as quickly as possible to achieve its deserved place in the new game order, assessing, "Turkey has reached a position where it does not take orders but gives orders, not a passive actor in the established game order but sets games for its own national interests, able to intervene in matters everywhere in the world by emerging from its introverted state, and is strong both intellectually and physically."
Stating that the oppression regime in Gaza and Turkey's near geography demonstrates that 'One who is not strong has no justice,' Gürlek said, "Unfortunately, we witness how centers that preach as the most democratic countries have overthrown human values for their own interests. We see how unsuccessful international organizations have been in their tests against attacks on human dignity."
Gürlek pointed out that countries' political mechanisms suffering from a shortage of producing leaders is one of the most important issues discussed in the world today, and said that President Erdoğan's political and statesmanship is Turkey's greatest fortune in this process.
"OUR GOAL IS THE IDEAL OF A TERROR-FREE, SAFE, AND PEACEFUL TURKEY"
Expressing that he bears the responsibility of serving the Republic of Turkey, where he served as a bureaucrat for years, now as the Minister of Justice, Gürlek said, "As the Minister of Justice, our mission is to establish a justice system based on the rule of law, without delay and accessible, and to most strongly guarantee our citizens' right to seek justice."
Gürlek stated that he has two major goals regarding issues that will shape tomorrow's Turkey in the coming period, saying, "First is the ideal of a terror-free, safe, and peaceful Turkey. Terrorism is not only a threat that targets a country's life but also a very big threat that weakens democracy, hinders development, aims to suppress legal tutelage, and paves the ground for tutelages to be established over our political life."
"A NEW CONSTITUTION IS A NECESSITY"
Minister of Justice Gürlek emphasized that they must remove the 1982 Constitution, which refers to and bears traces of tutelage and junta understanding and has become a patchwork, from the agenda, and collaboratively gift a new constitution that sheds light on the age and future and guides the nation, saying, "A constitution expresses not only the governance framework of a state but also the legal and moral contract between the nation and the state. At the point we have reached today, our current constitution unfortunately falls short against national security threats, social peace, changing world conditions, evolving societal structure, and increasing demands for rights and freedoms."
A new constitution is a necessity," he said.
The program, where Istanbul University Rector Prof. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar and MTTB President Tahsin Başarı each delivered a speech, was attended by Former Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly İsmail Kahraman, Birlik Vakfı Founding Board Chairman Yaşar Karayel, some members of parliament, deputy governors, judges, and students.