Turkey: First three articles of present constitution red lines for CHP, main opposition

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu declared at his party’s Abant meeting that the first three articles of the present Constitution formed the CHP’s red lines for the new constitution. The first three articles of the Turkish Constitution, drafted during a military regime following the 1980 coup, are irrevocable and amendments to them cannot even be suggested.

It defines Turkey as a republic that is a democratic, secular, social state governed by the rule of law and whose language is Turkish. Kılıçdaroğlu spoke at the party’s working group meeting, where members of Parliament and the party’s Central Executive Board (MYK) got together to discuss the strategy the CHP should adopt in the new legislative year. He said, “The first three articles of the Constitution are our prerequisite because these three represent the founder’s will.”

Kılıçdaroğlu went on to say that strengthening the principle of separation of powers in the new constitution should also be the main target. “What we wonder is what the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) attitude and aim will be in this process. That we will probably see at the table,” he added.

New constitution and democracy

The meeting took place on Oct. 7-9, 2011. Pointing out that they see the new constitution as a chance in respect to freedoms and democracy in Turkey, Kılıçdaroğlu said issues such as freedom of the press and the right to privacy are to be secured under the new constitution. He also noted that there are many things outside of the constitution, such as elimination of the 10 percent election threshold and abolishing specially authorized courts, that need to be done to strengthen the democratic system.

The other topic the CHP leader dealt with at the meeting was the strong emphasis he placed on party discipline, which was lacking considerably according to political observers. In the part of the meeting closed to the press, Kılıçdaroğlu reportedly told members of the CHP that they need to observe party discipline or face the penalties. “We are not a think tank. You should not forget that we are a political party. You should not make statements about every thought that crosses your mind. Naturally, everybody will express his views, but party discipline should not be disregarded,” he was quoted as saying.

İsa Gök, the only member of Parliament from the CHP who has not yet sworn in, was said to have received some critical remarks from other party members. Gök was said to have responded, saying that because he might eventually lose his seat if the nonattendance procedure is put into effect, he might swear in the following week. Some CHP members who were abroad, including Deniz Baykal, the former leader of the party, were missing at the Abant meeting.

09 October 2011
SOURCE: TODAY’S ZAMAN