Turkey's constitution grants little freedom to politicians: Deputy PM

Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said Tuesday that Turkey's constitution was outdated.

Delivering a speech at the International Democracy Congress held in Ankara, Cicek said Turkey could not embark on a journey towards modernization and a more advanced democracy with the current constitution.

"This constitution causes new problems in practice everyday," said Cicek.

He said the constitution was not prepared in a democratic manner in 1982, during the cold war, giving precedence to security over freedoms.

"Security was top priority, and freedoms were dispensable," said Cicek.

He said it took a decree with signatures of the premier and two ministers to appoint a simple director under the current constitution, noting that the constitution allowed little freedom of action to politicians.

Cicek said the government had been introducing reforms since 2002.

He emphasized the difficulty of introducing new bills, pointing out that new bills had to be in line with the constitution adding that otherwise the Constitutional Court cancelled it.

In an attempt to describe Turkey's dilemma as he saw it, Cicek said, "If we take concerns of the Constitutional Court into consideration, than it (the new bill) does not comply with EU norms, if we take EU norms into consideration, than it is against our constitution," said Cicek.

Cicek said a majority in parliament and consensus among parties were necessary for constitutional amendments, noting that their government sought consensus.

Cicek blamed the opposition for not even wanting to talk with the government about constitutional amendments, implying that they were responsible if the constitution remained unchanged.

He said the government's efforts were directed towards creating a greater, stronger and more democratic state.

/World Bulletin/