President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made striking remarks in his speech at the Council of State. Erdoğan stated that they will not allow ‘narrow cadre understandings’ to ‘nest’ in state institutions. The President said that the ‘coup constitution’ does not befit Turkish democracy and that they do not want the need for a civilian constitution to be removed from the agenda.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made important statements at the 156th Anniversary Ceremony of the Council of State in Ankara. Erdoğan stated that they will not allow “narrow cadre understandings” to gain a place in state institutions and emphasized that it is not appropriate for Turkey to be governed by the “coup constitution” and expressed the need for a civilian constitution.
In his speech, the President emphasized the importance of the judiciary, stating that delayed justice is not justice and that injustices cause social unrest. He also recalled the injustices and coup periods Turkey experienced in the past and emphasized the need to protect the independence of the judiciary.
“It is wrong for the judiciary to interfere with the legislature and the executive, and it is also unacceptable for the judiciary to be drawn into political debates. It will not be allowed to be nested in the state institutions by narrow cadre understandings that look after the interests of a certain group of people,” Erdoğan said, adding that the justice system should only act in accordance with the law.
Referring to the new constitutional proposal, the President underlined the need to draft a constitution that will strengthen Turkey’s democracy, increase the participation of civil society and accelerate the solution of various issues of the country. Erdoğan said, “The fact that the 100th year of our Republic was spent with a constitution that was the product of a coup does not befit Turkish democracy. The elimination of this deficiency with the national will will be a new milestone in politics.”
Lastly, Erdoğan emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation between political parties and stated that different political views should meet on a common ground and unite to solve the country’s problems. He concluded his speech by emphasizing that this process is a critical step for the future of Turkey.
