Speaking at an iftar dinner with representatives of higher judicial bodies, Erdoğan said: “The circle of justice, which had guided our ancestors throughout centuries, has also been shaping our conception of state and politics and has been our compass and reference point in legal arrangements since 2002.”
Marking the 60th anniversary of the Constitutional Court, Erdoğan stated that the High Court, given the duties and responsibilities it executes, holds a unique place in state and social life, and said: “I wholeheartedly congratulate the 60th year of the Constitutional Court in the person of Mr. President and the members.”
Stressing commitment to the promise given to the nation to raise the country on the pillars of education, healthcare, security and justice, Erdoğan pointed out: “The circle of justice, which had guided our ancestors throughout centuries, has also been shaping our conception of state and politics and has been our compass and reference point in legal arrangements since 2002.”
Stating that it is the current leadership in Türkiye that has carried out the most comprehensive and the most fundamental amendments in the 1982 constitution, Erdoğan said: “Particularly with the transition to the Presidential System of Government, we put an end to the problem of duality in administration which undermines the national will and paves the way for antidemocratic attempts.”
“Every challenge we face makes it clearer that the 1982 constitution has become a source of deadlock”
Erdoğan continued his remarks as follows: “However, despite all the revisions, we couldn’t fully eliminate ‘the pro-tutelage soul’ that permeated our constitution. It is acknowledged by anyone, including politicians, academia, judiciary and NGOs, that the current constitution, with its letter, language and soul, is actually a text devoid of integrity. Every challenge we face makes it clearer that the 1982 constitution—which has turned into a ragbag, so-to-speak, as a result of amendments—has become a source of deadlock. We all witness this bitter truth both in the functioning of our state mechanism and in occasional public discussions. Through every discussion, we better comprehend Türkiye’s need for a democratic, civilian, liberal and embracing constitution.”
Underlining that these discussions would never stop unless Türkiye adopts a freedoms-oriented constitution that arises from the nation’s culture and directly reflects the national will and which at the same time feeds on universal values, Erdoğan said: “It is a duty of the politics as an institution to resolve this issue, which puts shackles on our nation’s will and casts a shadow over our democracy.” (ILKHA)