Speaking at the Mediterranean Regional Meeting organized by the AK Party Central Headquarters' Political and Legal Affairs Department, Yazıcı emphasized that the authority to draft a constitution belongs to the people. He pointed out that Turkey is still governed by a constitution born out of coup periods and stressed the need for a new, civilian constitution to be prepared with the free will of the people.
Referring to Turkey's constitutional history, Yazıcı noted that the 1961 and 1982 constitutions were drafted following coup periods, stating, "The right to draft a constitution belonging to the people was exercised by coup plotters. Today, we are still governed by a constitution prepared under such circumstances."
Yazıcı argued that the new constitution will further strengthen democratic gains and highlighted that institutionalized democracy is one of Turkey's most important achievements. "The AK Party is continuing its preparations" Yazıcı said the AK Party is continuing its preparatory work on the new constitution and that the constitutional commission, which has been working for about a year, is still active.
He expressed readiness to initiate the process if a consensus is reached in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) regarding the new constitution and called on all political parties to contribute. "The new constitution is the demand of the people" Yazıcı emphasized that the demand for a new constitution is not from any political party but directly from the people, and that they evaluate the constitutional work beyond daily political calculations.
Pointing out that all segments of society will be involved in the process, Yazıcı said, "Drafting a constitution is an exclusive right belonging to our people. The final word on the constitution, which will be prepared with the participation of all segments of society, will again belong to the people. The new constitution will come into effect through a referendum."
Yazıcı added that implementing a civilian and inclusive constitution suitable for Turkey's second century is among the AK Party's important goals.
