Constitutional changes are not possible under the state of emergency in Turkey, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy leader has said, commenting on recent debates on a charter change.
“The charter cannot be changed under the state of emergency” Tuğrul Türkeş told daily Hürriyet, adding that charter changes were absolute agreement texts.
“Charter changes are absolute agreement texts. The Republican People’s Party is the main opposition and carries responsibilities” he also said.
Saying the “CHP cannot solve the constitutional change issue on the street” Türkeş said the decision to lengthen the state of emergency had not yet been given.
“We’ll see if the state of emergency will be extended, but a country in a state of emergency cannot change its constitution” he added.
Turkey declared a three-month long state of emergency after the July 15 failed coup attempt, widely believed to have been masterminded by the followers of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen. It was later extended for another three months.
During his interview, Türkeş also said his ideas on the timing of the constitutional change may cause debates inside the party.
“If it creates a debate it’s fine because this needs to be discussed inside the party” he also said.
Türkeş also discussed the debate regarding the reintroduction of the death penalty, saying he was against it.
“I think the reintroduction of it will bring more harm in comparison to its benefits, and it’s hard to bring it back” Türkeş said, adding that he had voiced this idea on many platforms.
“We’ve been talking about this with our lawmaker friends. They all know that I’m against it” he added.