Turkey's PM sets date for constitutional reform package

PM Erdogan attended EU Reform Watch Group meeting on Sunday, February 28.

The proposals come in the midst of renewed tensions with the military following the arrests of more than 30 officers, including two retired generals, charged with plotting to overthrow the government.

Speaking to the reporters after the meeting on Sunday, he said that the government will submit a reform package to the Parliament by late March regarding the necessary amendments for the EU negotiations, primarily including a judicial reform.

Premier Erdogan called for reconciliation within the parliament or referendum, saying that no one should block these reforms just because the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will put them into practice.

"We are not talking about an A to Z change in the constitution," Erdogan said, adding that the changes would focus on areas such as the judiciary and articles relating to political parties.

Erdogan also criticized the stance of the opposition parties and the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) about a Constitutional amendment. He said that HSYK is not the legislative organ in Turkey, underlining the government’s effort to implement in Turkey a combined standard of what is implemented in the 27 EU member states and even in the world on the implementation of a Constitutional amendment.

The Prime Minister noted that if consensus cannot be reached for a Constitutional amendment, then the government will seek public support through a referendum.

Answering to a question on the draft bill, which will be voted at the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee for recognizing the Armenian allegations regarding the 1915 incidents as “genocide”, Erdoğan said that normalization process of ties with Armenia would be impeded if any wrong step is taken on March 4.

Turkey adopted a military-drafted constitution in 1982, two years after a coup by the armed forces.


/World Bulletin/