PM Davutoğlu: New constitution will be prepared through dialogue

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, speaking late on Monday to reporters accompanying him during his official visit to Serbia, said the new government established after the Nov. 1 elections is now ready to start a constructive dialogue with the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on preparing a new constitution, changing bylaws for a more effective parliament and discussing ways to initiate a joint effort to push through much-needed reforms, with priority on a new constitution.

He said he had to initially focus on the election of the parliament speaker and other senior officials, appoint ministers and their deputies before focusing on other governmental business. "We will appoint chief advisors in the coming days. I asked opposition leaders for appointments once this process finishes. What I want is to begin a new tradition where each prime minister, soon after taking office, meets with opposition leaders [to discuss] the government's agenda, and such meetings take place at pre-selected intervals."

He said the June 7 elections this year that resulted with no party able to claim sole power had created a suitable environment that fostered dialogue among political leaders.

"A constitution should be a document that encompasses the entire nation, a rule that the current constitution definitely doesn't satisfy. We need to ensure the new constitution will be based on the broadest social compact. That's why I will be in constant contact with opposition leaders and civil society."

He said he would also consult CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli about the methodology of the process they want. "I have a certain idea how to proceed and will ask their opinions. We tried to prepare a constitution twice before and failed. In 2007 we were criticized for trying to impose a charter on them. In 2011, a commissioned was established with all parties participating, which I believe, produced an inclusive document. However, that process failed, too. I now want to discuss how to proceed."

Concerning the pro-Kurdish Democratic Peoples' Party (HDP), Davutoğlu said: "I would have liked to mention the HDP in this process, but due to reasons apparent to all, we will not be meeting with them." The HDP's support for the PKK and statements from its leadership have been criticized in recent months.

Davutoğlu said no one openly objected to the need to replace the current constitution, which is a product of the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup. "However, does everyone really want it changed? Criticizing the coup and then sheltering under the coup constitution is not right."

The prime minister said last weekend he met with officials from his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) who participated in the 2011 discussions on new constitution. "I have never supported the partial amendments made to the constitution. Its soul is so damaged that the changes made, including those made by us, failed to address the problems."

He argued that there should be no preconditions or redlines during the discussions on a new constitution: "I believe in a clear, open and concise constitution. A self-confident constitution is an open constitution."

Concerning the first four articles of the current constitution, he said he believed in the public and himself. The first four articles stipulate that Turkey is a secular republic, a democracy, defines Turkish as the sole official language of the country and that these articles cannot be altered in any way. "I believe in these articles, I believe in my nation and I believe in the system we will create. If these sentiments are as strong as we believe, no one would even imagine changing them. Every limitation included in the constitution reflects self-doubt. Our current constitution distrusts the public, whereas it should enshrine the people. We will enshrine human rights and freedoms."

He said separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government would also be respected in a new consecution. The government is also angling to introduce a presidential system. "I call on those who argue that a presidential system would produce a dictatorship. Sometimes the worst dictatorships are caused by juristocracies. Hitler rose out of a parliamentary system," he said.

He said he believed the government and opposition parties would reach an agreement on the soul of a constitution: "When it comes to details, such as the definition of citizenship, we need to talk about values that will be accepted by the broadest majority. If we agree on the soul, no matter if the system is presidential or parliamentary, it will be pro-freedom." He accused certain critical groups of being victims of sloganeering, without knowing the details.

"I will speak openly. We should not make the process about a certain person. In other words, the arguments that if we bring a presidential system then [President Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan will become an executive president. Let's create such a system that our grandchildren and their grandchildren will be proud of. Some 30 years from now, I won't be here, neither will Kılıçdaroğlu nor the president. But there will be Turkey. Let's build a state."

When asked what would happen if the process once again fails to deliver, Davutoğlu said: "Firstly, I must say that I always have a plan B, which I never publicize. If I do, it would be disrespectful to the other side. Let's first develop a joint plan and then we'll see."