Erdogan Pushes for a New Constitution—Alarming Shift or Modernization Moment?
According to an Associated Press report, President Erdoğan has appointed a team of ten legal experts to draft a new Turkish constitution. He describes it as a modern, civilian charter that will replace the current framework drafted in the wake of the 1980 military coup. Erdoğan insists the objective is to crown Turkey’s democracy, freeing it from military-era constraints. However, many critics contend that the real motive is to reset presidential term limits—potentially keeping Erdoğan in power past 2028.
What’s Really Driving the Move?
Let’s break it down clearly:
Historical context: Turkey’s current constitution, born from military rule in 1982, has been amended multiple times. Despite reforms, critics argue it still carries a military mentality and limits civilian authority.
Erdoğan’s pitch: He claims the new constitution will be “civilian and lib eral,” modernizing governance and strengthening rights.
Skeptics’ view: Experts suggest the plan is a strategic ploy, allowing Erdoğan to run again without navigating constitutional term limits—or relying on early elections, which carry political risk.
Political Chess Moves and Alliances
Drafting a new constitution isn’t just legal—it’s deeply political:
Need for broader support: Erdoğan’s party and nationalist allies hold a majority but lack the votes for a referendum. That leaves a possible path: winning over pro-Kurdish MPs—whose backing is uncertain but may rely on assurances tied to Kurdish issues.
Recent developments: In parallel with the constitutional effort, there’s been movement on Kurdish reconciliation, including conversations about the PKK ceasefire and political inclusion. These changes may be tied to drafting a broader coalition for constitutional change.
Risks and Red Flags
Far from a neutral modernization project, the new constitution effort raises these concerns:
Term-limit reset: If structured correctly, the draft could allow Erdoğan to run for two more terms, keeping him president through the mid-2030s without needing snap elections.
Democratic erosion: Critics recall that Turkey’s 2017 amendments already consolidated significant power in the presidency. A rewrite under Erdoğan’s watch risks deepening authoritarian encroachment.
Judiciary control: With Erdoğan appointing judges to constitutional and high courts, reform could further undermine judicial independence and weaken institutional checks.
Erdogan’s constitution draft effort may appear on the surface as a modernization project. However, without genuine debate, democratic safeguards, or full participation from opposition parties, it risks becoming a tool to extend his rule and centralize power.