Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) Numan Kurtulmuş met with journalists at breakfast before the new legislative year.
Noting that there are two important issues before the Turkish Grand National Assembly in the new legislative period, Kurtulmuş said that the new constitution and the amendment to the internal regulations of the Turkish Grand National Assembly should be addressed urgently.
“A NEW CONSTITUTION IS TÜRKİYE'S DUTY”
Kurtulmuş said that we are on the verge of a historic period in this term of the Parliament, as the Republic will enter its second century, and pointed out that the political views of many different parties will be present in this term of the Parliament.
Kurtulmuş stated that it was necessary to make a new constitution and said, "The necessity of a new constitution is obvious. It is one of the important works that will pave the way for Türkiye democratically, and in fact, Türkiye's need for a new constitution has been discussed for many years, almost from the day after the September 12 Constitution was adopted. It has been discussed both in political circles, among lawyers and in academic circles. Therefore, it is Türkiye's duty to make a new constitution."
“THE CONSTITUTION ISSUE IS NOT A FANTASY, IT IS A NEED”
Referring to the discussions on constitutional amendments, Kurtulmuş said, "The issue of the constitution is not a fantasy, it is a need, a necessity. Moreover, not only a political party or parties have a constitution. It becomes the nation's constitution. Of course, it may not be possible to get 100 percent support from everyone with a very serious and intense participation in these processes, but ensuring that they are achieved with the greatest consensus and a constitution that belongs to the nation should be one of our important sensitivities in this process."
“PARLIAMENT WILL BE THE PIONEER OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATES”
Kurtulmuş emphasized that the civil, participatory and democratic constitution is Türkiye's responsibility towards future generations.
"If we manage to create the political climate correctly, I believe that Türkiye will have the opportunity to draft a new constitution in this period. One of the important issues in these constitutional discussions is that the opinions of different circles will definitely be expressed in the political climate, but ultimately the Turkish Grand National Assembly will be the pioneer and center of the constitutional discussions. Since the Constitution will be drafted by the Parliament on behalf of the nation, I believe that it is essential for this debate to be voiced under the responsibility and leadership of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, in order to ensure the correct orientation of the political climate and ground," he added.
“IT IS POSSIBLE TO RELEASE THE INTERNAL REGULATIONS OF THE ASSEMBLY FIRST”
Stating that steps can be taken to increase the quality of legislation and the prestige of MPs and the Parliament through the Parliament's Internal Regulations, Kurtulmuş said, "In this sense, I hope that with a consensus between the parties, it is possible to issue the Parliament's Internal Regulations before the constitution, and I believe that it will be an easier step. We all need to work together to increase the reputation of the Parliament. Just as this is an area of responsibility that each and every member of our parliament will focus on, we demand that those who determine the agenda of Türkiye, and especially the media, provide encouraging support to the works that will increase the reputation of the Parliament."
KURTULMUŞ CALLS THE OPPOSITION: "JOIN THE CONSTITUTIONAL STUDIES"
Kurtulmuş also called on opposition parties and said, "Türkiye has a demand for a constitution and the masses have great expectations on this issue. This time is now. If the aim is to make the constitution, I think everyone can agree on a reasonable point here. If the aim is not to have the constitution signed, there is nothing to do about it. Maybe there is a very difficult formula that will open this lock. Therefore, I believe that the aim of all political parties is to make a new constitution. Let them present their work, express their opinions, do what they agree with, and not do what they do not agree with. If we can carry out this process with a good method, with a good method... Constitutions are made for the nation, the nation has constitutions, the nation has expectations. I believe there may be a study that can meet these needs. My advice to the opposition is to give positive and positive support to these studies without prejudice or rejection. If they do this, they win"