Allowing Him A Third Term
A special AK Party commission of 11 members is intensively drafting a new constitution for Turkey. The ruling party aims to finalize the text soon and submit it to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for approval. Yet, the primary challenge remains the lack of consensus among political parties in the Turkish parliament
Media close to the AK Party report that the draft constitution introduces significant revisions. It draws from the constitutions of 1921, 1924, 1961, and 1982, retaining several key articles from those documents. However, large portions are expected to be altered in a way that would allow Erdoğan to remain president for three additional terms, granting him the ability to stand again in upcoming elections.
So far, the AK Party and its ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), have not determined whether the new structure will maintain the current presidential system, shift to a semi-presidential model similar to France, or return to a parliamentary form of governance. That decision will be made by Erdoğan and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli.
Can they pass a new constitution in parliament?
One of the biggest obstacles for the AK Party and MHP is their limited representation in parliament.
The two parties form the People’s Alliance and together hold 323 seats. To take a new constitution to a national referendum, they need at least 360 seats—leaving a shortfall of 37.
This means they will have to secure support from another parliamentary party. The closest potential partner is the pro-Kurdish DEM Party. If the AK Party and MHP persuade the DEM Party to back the constitutional draft, the coalition would have the numbers required to trigger a referendum.
Altan Tan, a former HDP lawmaker and an influential political figure in northern Kurdistan, recently said: “The DEM Party might vote for Erdoğan in the next Turkish presidential election, provided that the Kurdish issue is resolved.” His remarks suggest that if the DEM Party supports Erdoğan, it could also vote for the new constitution—paving the way for his third term bid.
Where is the Kurdish issue in the new Turkish constitution?
- Kurds are not recognized as a distinct nation anywhere in the current constitution. Instead, it identifies all citizens as Turks. Articles 1–4 assert that every person living in the country is Turkish, and they stipulate Turkish as the sole language of education and public life
The AK Party and MHP have so far avoided responding directly to these demands. Their aligned media maintain that Articles 1–4 will remain untouched. Yet, voices within the AK Party support acknowledging Kurdish identity in the constitution.
If the ruling alliance intends to take the constitution to a referendum, it cannot do so without the DEM Party’s backing. Should the DEM Party refuse, the initiative planned by the AK Party and MHP will fail. This makes it likely that negotiations will take place regarding Kurdish-language education and constitutional recognition, keeping diplomatic channels with Kurds open.
- Historically, the 1921 constitution included Articles 11–21, explicitly recognizing Kurdish rights. It granted Kurds national status, mother-tongue education, and even the option of self-governance through a referendum. If the new constitutional proposal incorporates principles from the 1921 text, particularly regarding Kurdish autonomy and cultural rights, it could mark a major turning point in efforts to solve the Kurdish issue.
