NEWS CENTER – Efkan Ala stated regarding the debates on a new constitution: “Even if we hold a majority on our own, we would prefer to draft the constitution together with the opposition. A constitution that gains the consent of broad segments of society will open the way for Turkey.”

 

AKP Deputy Chair Efkan Ala met with journalists at the party’s headquarters. Ala addressed the ongoing discussions around the new constitution. He noted that constitutions are meant to prevent crises in countries, whereas in Turkey, constitutions have often been the source of crises.

 

“This has been the case in 1960, 1961, 1971, and 1980… Then again during the February 28 process, the e-memorandum, the December 17/25 corruption investigations, the July 15 coup attempt, and the closure cases – the constitution has always been the source of crisis,” Ala said. “Whereas constitutions should be the source of solutions.”

 

He added: “The general political landscape is now saying ‘yes’ to this. So are state institutions. In order for this to be institutionalized, new regulations must be put in place.”

 

“Every party agrees that there is a need for a new constitution. Then let’s come together around a table. Let each party explain what they mean by a new constitution. What are their demands? What do they object to in the current constitution? These should be discussed there,” he continued.

 

Ala concluded: “Even if we hold a majority on our own, we would prefer to draft the constitution with the opposition. We believe that a constitution that earns the approval of broad sections of society will open up Turkey’s future and enable sustainable development.”