Erdogan Proposes New Constitution, Invites Opposition Leader for Talks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed a new constitution for Turkey and invited the leader of the main opposition party, Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel, to discuss potential support for progressive and open-minded reforms. The invitation comes as Erdogan faces criticism from his ally, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, who has accused Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek of having a "mischief-making mentality" and demanded the closure of the Democratic Regions Party (DEM).

The Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş, emphasized the importance of creating a political climate where everyone can sincerely support the constitution-making process without prejudice. Kurtulmuş stated that he will meet with all political parties represented in the parliament to gather their opinions and stressed that constitutions are texts of national consensus. He said the procedure for determining the constitution-making process is more important than the principle itself, with the goal of finding support from a large majority in the parliament, over 400 deputies, to avoid a referendum.

The CHP has made progress following the March 31 elections, as evidenced by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's meetings with opposition figures such as Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş. Özel has indicated that the CHP will provide "polite but firm opposition" to Erdogan and is open to early elections if there is public demand.

Why this matters: The proposed constitutional reforms and the potential collaboration between Erdogan and the opposition leader could signal a notable shift in Turkey's political landscape. The outcome of these discussions may have far-reaching implications for the country's future governance and the balance of power between the ruling party and the opposition.

Erdogan is expected to meet with Şimşek upon his return from Iraq, as the economic crisis remains a major challenge for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). "The first condition for making a new constitution is creating a political climate where everyone can sincerely support the process without prejudice," Kurtulmuş said, emphasizing the need for a broad consensus in the parliament to avoid a referendum on the proposed constitutional changes.

Key Takeaways

• Erdogan proposes new constitution, invites CHP leader for talks on reforms.
• Speaker Kurtulmuş emphasizes need for broad parliamentary consensus to avoid referendum.
• CHP open to early elections if public demand, vows "polite but firm opposition".
• Erdogan to meet Finance Minister Şimşek amid economic crisis facing AKP.
• Constitutional reforms could signal shift in Turkey's political landscape and power balance.