Erdoğan's 'new constitution' statement! Notable emphasis on the 'softening period'...

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the Administrative Judiciary Day and the 156th Anniversary Ceremony of the Council of State.

In his speech, Erdoğan gave important messages regarding the judiciary and the new constitution.

Stating that the new constitution will be an important milestone for Turkish democracy, Erdoğan said, "We have not been able to provide our country with a new constitution prepared by civilians. We cannot reconcile the fact that the 100th anniversary of our Republic was passed with a constitution that is a product of a coup with Turkish democracy."

Giving a message of a 'softening period' following his meeting with CHP leader Özgür Özel, Erdoğan emphasized that the softening process in politics is an important opportunity for the new constitution process and spoke as follows;

"We do not find it right for the political institution to want to remove the need for a civilian constitution from the agenda by putting forward economic and social problems."

Here are the highlights from Erdoğan's speech:

"One of the most fundamental principles of the rule of law is the judicial review of the administration. The realization of this principle depends on all kinds of acts and actions of the administration being subject to judicial review. The representative of this mission in our country is the Council of State. Our Council of State is the final decision-maker in the resolution of disputes between the public and the citizens.

Beyond our positions and titles, as a member of the 85 million, we all sincerely believe in this truth; just as justice that comes late is not justice, a judicial system that gives confidence to society and is accessible is the guarantee of our survival. The state is strong as long as it rules with justice and distributes justice. It stands tall. Where there is no justice, there is no peace or prosperity.

"WE HAD TO WITNESS MANY INJUSTICES"

We are a nation that attaches great importance to justice but has had to witness many injustices. We do not forget the legal massacres committed by the May 27 coup plotters on Yassıada, which resembled a bad theater play rather than a real court. The pain of the young people sent to the gallows by the September 12 dictatorship regime, one from the right and one from the left, has never ceased. It took years to compensate for the damage caused to our legal system by those who applauded the coup plotters in a chorus during the February 28 period. We are still bearing the burden of the troubles caused by the perpetrators of the December 17-25 judicial-police attempt. The heavy prices we paid on July 15 are obvious. Our justice system was subjected to the hegemony of coup plotters at one time, structures that saw themselves as superior to the nation at another, and FETÖ at another.

"JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS ARE NOT BEYOND CRITICISM"

In recent years, it is seen that the media and social media, with their written, visual, and digital channels, have been added to these circles. It is a gain for our democracy that the media and social media undertake the duty of auditing on behalf of the nation, but it should never reach the dimension of setting up courts and distributing justice left and right.

Judicial institutions are not beyond criticism. We can object to their decisions. However, we will never allow the judiciary to be undermined. A strong, impartial, independent, good, and fast-functioning justice system is a valuable legacy we can leave to our children.

"WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE JUDICIARY STAYS AWAY FROM IDEOLOGICAL POLARIZATION"

Just as the judiciary's interference in the legislative and executive branches is wrong, it is equally erroneous for the judiciary to be drawn into political debates. Together with the government and the opposition, the press, and civil society, we need to ensure that our judiciary stays away from ideological polarization. We will not allow narrow-cadre mentalities that prioritize the interests of a certain group instead of the salvation of the country to nest again within the institutions of our state. It is essential that we all act with a sense of responsibility in this regard.

"WE KEEP OUR WILL FOR REFORM ALIVE"

In the light of what we have done and what we have not been able to do, we still keep our will for reform alive. Turkey can only build its future on more democracy, more economic prosperity, and, in parallel, more security. While security is the guarantee of a strong democracy, democracy is the basis of security.

"THE NEW CONSTITUTION WILL BE A NEW MILESTONE"

We have not been able to provide our country with a new constitution prepared by civilians. This understanding is exactly what is in our new and civilian constitution proposal. We cannot reconcile the fact that the 100th anniversary of our Republic was passed with a constitution that is a product of a coup with Turkish democracy. Eliminating this deficiency through the national will will add strength to our democracy and will be a new milestone in Turkish politics.

"IT IS NOT RIGHT TO REMOVE IT FROM THE AGENDA"

We do not find it right for the political institution to want to remove the need for a civilian constitution from the agenda by putting forward economic and social problems. The new constitution will further accelerate the solution of our country's problems, from the economy to social life, by expanding the space for civilian politics.

"THE SOFTENING IN POLITICS IS AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY"

With the softening in politics, the intensification of consultative meetings between different political parties constitutes an important opportunity. We will continue to play our constructive role in line with the expectations of our nation.