Binali Yıldırım's 'citizenship definition' remarks: 'Some ethnic groups...'

The "New Constitution Meetings" program, prepared by the Association of Legal Research (HUDER) and supported by the Ministry of Interior's Directorate General for Relations with Civil Society, was held at the İzmir Bakırçay University Conference Hall.

Binali Yıldırım, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and former Prime Minister, who attended the program, made notable remarks.

In his speech, Yıldırım stated, "The first 4 unchangeable articles of Turkey's constitution are the result of a 100-year accumulation. They were not put there from yesterday to today. The unitary state structure, democratic, secular, and republican nature is a legacy entrusted to us by Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms. No one can take action on this or open it to debate."

Yıldırım stated that those who support terrorist organizations bring up the issue of mother tongue, and continued his words as follows:

"The name of our state is the Republic of Turkey. The definition of citizenship in the Constitution says, 'Everyone bound to this country by the bond of citizenship is a Turk.' They say regarding this, 'There is no right to live for anyone other than Turks.' There is no such thing; this is a definition of a nation, and this nation has components. For a thousand years, we have had Kurds, Turks, Syriacs, Abazins, and Circassians in these lands. The definition of citizenship can certainly be reviewed in the new constitution. An update can be made that prioritizes citizenship regardless of one's ethnic identity, rather than defining or highlighting an ethnic identity. This could save some ethnic groups from the feeling of being neglected."

'THE PATH MUST BE OPENED FOR OUR PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN TO BE A CANDIDATE AGAIN'

Binali Yıldırım also spoke about the possibility of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan running for president again. Arguing that Turkey is always under threat due to its geographical location, Yıldırım said:

"We are surrounded by instability, dangers, and threats. Under all these conditions, the Republic of Turkey must remain strong. For this, there is a need for stability, trust, and most importantly, a strong leader. Therefore, the path for our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's candidacy for President again must be opened. The new Constitution should also provide for this. A civilian constitution must be made as soon as possible, and the path for our President Erdoğan to be a candidate again must be opened."