With the intensifying competition between Turkish political parties in preparation for the local elections, which the country is on the brink of, the issue of drafting a new constitution for Turkey has come to the forefront. The ruling party, “Justice and Development Party,” commonly known as the AKP, has emphasized the need for a new civil constitution for the country that aligns with Turkey’s new republican phase, aiming to move away from the military coup constitution of 1980.
Expressing their desire for a liberal civil constitution that meets the citizens’ needs and prioritizes democracy, civil liberties, rights, human dignity, national unity, and defines the general framework of state duties, the AKP leadership has pledged to work tirelessly towards replacing the current constitution that still bears the imprint of the military coup despite the numerous amendments made over the years.
While the government has shown positivity towards this proposal and Turkish political parties have shown initial agreement on the necessity of drafting a new constitution to rid the country of the remnants of military influence in the political system, underlying distrust and numerous points of disagreement may impede the realization of this political and popular aspiration in the near future.
The talk about drafting a new constitution is not new, as various projects have been proposed in the past years. However, disagreements among the parties have hindered reaching an agreement or producing a comprehensive draft that satisfies the citizens’ aspirations, who have long been dissatisfied with the continuance of the 1980 constitution and the lack of positive steps towards changing it by the successive ruling elites.
The opposition fears that the ruling party’s push for a new constitution at this specific time is aimed at making significant amendments to the presidential election system, potentially allowing President Erdogan to run again in the upcoming elections in 2028. Erdogan’s remarks about revisiting the presidential election process, coupled with the constitutional changes favoring a presidential system over a parliamentary one, have heightened the opposition’s apprehensions and suspicions.
The opposition is particularly concerned about the ruling party forming alliances with Islamic and conservative parties, potentially leading to the adoption of an Islamic state principle in the new constitution, shifting away from the secular principles laid down by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The fear of sacrificing Ataturk’s secular principles and altering the constitutional identity of Turkey raises alarms among the opposition parties and their supporters.
The opposition stands firm against any attempts by the AKP to draft a new constitution, with some parties outright refusing to engage in the discussions. While the aspiration to rid Turkey of the current constitution and create a new civil one that aligns with the citizens’ wishes may someday compel the opposition to set aside their concerns and differences with the AKP, opening up to the historical opportunity to achieve this goal for the benefit of the citizens and the stability of the Turkish state amidst global uncertainties.
The apprehension of the opposition leaders extends to the potential shift of the capital from Ankara to Istanbul, a move that could follow the recent conversion of Hagia Sophia back into a mosque, signaling Erdogan’s inclination to declare Istanbul as the capital on its new centenary. Erdogan’s actions to cater to Islamic sentiments and the conservative factions in Turkey, coupled with measures promoting the freedom to wear the headscarf constitutionally, have further exacerbated the opposition’s fears and skepticism.
The opposition’s resistance against any attempts by the AKP to draft a new constitution highlights the deep-rooted ideological divisions within Turkish politics. As the country navigates through this critical juncture, balancing the aspirations of the citizens and preserving the democratic values that define the essence of modern Turkey remains a monumental challenge for all political factions involved.
