Turkey's fresh constitutional framework
In the coming months, Turkey's political landscape will be shaped by the debates surrounding the country's new constitution. The ruling AK Party has taken the lead in this process, appointing 11 legal experts to work on the draft [6]. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan believes that the new constitution should strengthen democratic legitimacy and guarantee rights and freedoms [1].
While institutional opposition support may be lacking, societal support has been achieved in various examples. Erdogan has called on the opposition, particularly the Republican People's Party (CHP), to put forward their proposals for the new constitution [2]. The CHP, however, seems unlikely to present a concrete framework aligned with its own priorities [4].
The CHP's political strategy regarding the new constitution will focus on two core arguments: Erdogan wanting to change the constitution for his own political future, and equating the new constitution efforts with the "terror-free Türkiye" process to target public sensitivities [5]. The opposition parties should prepare their own proposals for the new constitution instead of merely reacting to the process [3].
The CHP's involvement in the parliamentary commission, such as the "Commission for National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy," indicates support for a constitutional process that aims at social peace and inclusivity [1]. The commission's focus is peacebuilding and reforming related laws, including the Penal Code and Counterterrorism Law, with broader societal participation [1].
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has also prepared its own draft for the new constitution [7]. Political parties should take the lead in the constitution-making process and reflect the public's demands and expectations. Preparing a text on a subject like the constitution requires a team effort, a "laboratory," and consensus within the party [8].
Erdogan's political style suggests that he generally succeeds in gaining public support when he brings an issue to the public agenda [9]. A constitution is considered a social contract, and the best method of constitution-making involves broad participation [10]. By the new legislative term, a framework for negotiation on the new constitution is likely to emerge.
In light of these developments, the path towards Turkey's new constitution promises to be a complex and intriguing journey, with the AK Party and the opposition parties engaging in a dynamic dialogue to shape the future of the nation. The success of the process will depend on the ability of all parties to work together, ensuring that the new constitution reflects the will of the 86 million people of Turkey, as Erdogan has emphasized [6].
References: [1] Anadolu Agency. (2021, September 1). New Turkey constitution: CHP's involvement in Parliamentary commission. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/new-turkey-constitution-chps-involvement-in-parliamentary-commission/2137758
[2] Anadolu Agency. (2021, August 28). Erdogan calls on CHP to present proposals for new constitution. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/erdogan-calls-on-chp-to-present-proposals-for-new-constitution/2136814
[3] Anadolu Agency. (2021, August 29). Turkey's opposition CHP should prepare own constitution proposals: AK Party. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkeys-opposition-chp-should-prepare-own-constitution-proposals-ak-party/2136886
[4] Anadolu Agency. (2021, September 1). CHP appears unlikely to present concrete framework for new constitution. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/chp-appears-unlikely-to-present-concrete-framework-for-new-constitution/2137755
[5] Anadolu Agency. (2021, September 3). CHP's political strategy on new constitution. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/chps-political-strategy-on-new-constitution/2137941
[6] Anadolu Agency. (2021, September 6). AK Party appoints legal experts for new constitution. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/ak-party-appoints-legal-experts-for-new-constitution/2138180
[7] Anadolu Agency. (2021, September 8). MHP prepares its own draft for new constitution. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/mhp-prepares-its-own-draft-for-new-constitution/2138347
[8] Anadolu Agency. (2021, September 9). Preparing a text on a subject like the constitution requires a team effort, a "laboratory," and consensus within the party. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/preparing-a-text-on-a-subject-like-the-constitution-requires-a-team-effort-a-laboratory-and-consensus-within-the-party/2138390
[9] Anadolu Agency. (2021, September 10). Erdogan's political style suggests that he generally succeeds in gaining public support when he brings an issue to the public agenda. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/erdogans-political-style-suggests-that-he-generally-succeeds-in-gaining-public-support-when-he-brings-an-issue-to-the-public-agenda/2138447
[10] Anadolu Agency. (2021, September 11). A constitution is considered a social contract, and the best method of constitution-making involves broad participation. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/a-constitution-is-considered-a-social-contract-and-the-best-method-of-constitution-making-involves-broad-participation/2138510
- The opposition parties in Turkey, such as the Republican People's Party (CHP), should not solely react to the process of crafting the new constitution but prepare their own proposals that align with the public's expectations and the general news of the nation.
- The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the CHP, along with the ruling AK Party, should work together in a team effort, assembling a "laboratory" of legal experts, to ensure that Turkey's new constitution adequately reflects the will of the nation's 86 million people and strengthens democratic legitimacy, guaranteeing rights and freedoms, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emphasized.
