President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for replacing the current charter — a legacy of the 1980 military coup + with what he terms a “civilian constitution made by and for the people.”
Speaking to lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Erdoğan said the 1982 Constitution no longer reflects the democratic aspirations of modern Turkey and must be replaced with a document that represents the nation’s will.
“A civilian constitution is one of the greatest desires of our people,” he declared.
Although amended many times, the current constitution still carries the imprint of authoritarian rule, Erdoğan noted. He argues a new document would reflect the values of a “New Turkey” — one that is strong, sovereign, and grounded in democratic institutions.
However, opposition figures have voiced concerns that the move could be used to further centralize presidential power. They insist any constitutional reform process must be transparent and inclusive of all segments of society.
Analysts expect the constitutional debate to dominate Turkish political discourse in the months ahead.
