A ‘proposal’ from Mehmet Uçum: First comment from the Palace on Numan Kurtulmuş’s ‘Article 3’ remarks

Following the targeting of the fourth article of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey by HÜDA PAR leader Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, a partner in the People's Alliance known for his proximity to Hezbollah, during a television program he attended last September, discussions on a new constitution have begun.

KURTULMUŞ CALLED IT ‘UNNECESSARY’ 2 WEEKS AGO

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş had said in an interview 2 weeks ago regarding the discussions: "I would like to state that almost all of the parties represented in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) are in agreement on the first four articles, and that the discussions to be held would be an unnecessary waste of time. As the Speaker of the Parliament, we consider ourselves obligated to oversee a period in which the views of universities, legal circles, and NGOs are taken, in addition to obtaining the opinions of the parties in Parliament and conducting the process transparently."

A ‘U-TURN’ FROM KURTULMUŞ

Kurtulmuş, who called the discussions ‘unnecessary’ 2 weeks ago, made a virtual ‘U-turn’ in a speech he gave at Gazi University.

Stating that the phrase 'the indivisible integrity of the state with its country and nation' should be changed, Kurtulmuş targeted the third article of the Constitution with the words: "The state does not have a country. The state does not have a nation. This text should be expressed as 'The indivisible integrity of the nation with its state and country'."

FIRST COMMENT FROM THE PALACE ON KURTULMUŞ’S ‘THIRD ARTICLE’ STATEMENT

While reactions poured in regarding Kurtulmuş’s remarks, which dominated the agenda, the first comment also came from the Palace.

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Chief Advisor Mehmet Uçum made a statement on the subject via his social media account.

Uçum said: "The provision on the 'indivisible integrity of the Republic of Turkey with its country and nation' is a very accurate expression both semantically and in terms of constitutional theory. Opening it to discussion is both misplaced and problematic. Therefore, like the other principles of the first four articles, this subject is also beyond discussion."

HE ANNOUNCED HIS OWN PROPOSAL

Uçum stated: "It is the correct approach to set aside the discussion of the current regulation and highlight it with the understanding that 'The Republic of Turkey is an indivisible whole with its state, country, and nation.' Thus, the fact that the Turkish State is based on the principle of national sovereignty and its unitary structure is further clarified."

“ARTICLE 6 OF THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SCOPE OF THE FIRST FOUR ARTICLES”

Uçum said that the first paragraph of Article 6 of the Constitution, which states “Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the Nation,” should be discussed for inclusion within the scope of the first four articles. Uçum explained the justification for this as: "It would be a challenge and a stance of determination against illegitimate structures and centers trying to share national sovereignty internally, and against the neo-liberal policies of global imperialism trying to limit or even liquidate national sovereignties externally."

The entirety of Uçum’s post is as follows:

"A SUNDAY OPINION:

The provision of the Constitution, “The State of Turkey is an indivisible whole with its country and nation,” relates to the integrity of the state, as also stated in the article's marginal heading. 

A nation's preservation of its existence together with its country and state depends solely on the sovereign state protecting its integrity.  The approach here has nothing to do with suppressing the nation, as is claimed. Evaluating systemic norms through the practical problems of the past is a fundamental methodological error. 

The provision “The State of Turkey is an indivisible whole with its country and nation” is not a regulation that suppresses the nation, but on the contrary, one that highlights the country and nation elements that an independent state possesses along with sovereignty. In other words, it is an emphasis that the State is the integrity of three elements consisting of sovereignty, country, and nation. 

Instead of putting forward problematic views that are the residue of the anti-national state liberal movements of the past, it is necessary to grasp the meaning of the “Principle of Integrity.”

In this context, it is the correct approach to set aside the discussion of the current regulation and highlight it with the understanding that “The Republic of Turkey is an indivisible whole with its state, country, and nation.” Thus, the fact that the Turkish State is based on the principle of national sovereignty and its unitary structure is further clarified. It would also be an effective opposition to the hostile attitudes developed by global imperialism and its extension, neo-liberal policies, against national states in general and Turkey in particular.

Precisely in connection with this, the provision of the first paragraph of Article 6 of the Constitution, “Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the Nation,” should also be discussed for inclusion within the scope of the first four articles.  Although it may be said that the Republic, which is the first of the principles of the first four articles, already includes the principle of national sovereignty, in my opinion, explicitly including the provision “Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the Nation” is a necessity and turns into a strengthening guarantee regulation.

Accordingly, including the provision “Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the Nation” within the scope of the first four articles in the new constitution would be a challenge and a stance of determination against illegitimate structures and centers trying to share national sovereignty internally, and against the neo-liberal policies of global imperialism trying to limit or even liquidate national sovereignties externally. 

It should not be forgotten that the protection and exaltation of the integrity of a Nation that possesses and rules its National State, with its Country and Nation, is that nation's national ideal/aspiration and the goal of the National State.

This can only be expressed with the principle of the Integrity of the State. In this respect, the provision on the “indivisible integrity of the Republic of Turkey with its country and nation” is a very accurate expression both semantically and in terms of constitutional theory. Opening it to discussion is both misplaced and problematic. Therefore, like the other principles of the first four articles, this subject is also beyond discussion."

BİR PAZAR GÖRÜŞÜ:

Anayasanın, “Türkiye Devleti, ülkesi ve milletiyle bölünmez bir bütündür” hükmü madde kenar başlığında da yer aldığı üzere devletin bütünlüğüne ilişkindir.

Bir ulusun/milletin ülkesiyle ve devletiyle birlikte varlığını koruması ancak egemen devletin,…

— Mehmet Uçum (@mehmetucum) October 13, 2024