Bahçeli said 'there is no right to back down'... A clear answer from Erdoğan on the constitution and candidacy question! Will he be a candidate again?

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered journalists' questions on the plane upon his return from Azerbaijan. Making important statements regarding the agenda, Erdoğan evaluated both the fight against terrorism and the new constitution efforts, while also clarifying the discussions that have occupied the public agenda recently: "Is the new constitution for Erdoğan?" and "Will he be a candidate again?"

Speaking on MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's words, "A president who cares about the homeland and the nation has no right to turn back from the path," Erdoğan said, "My nation made me mayor, prime minister, and president. Wherever our nation wants to see us, that is where we have been. Today, we are acting with the same sensitivity."

QUESTION: Has the PKK terrorist organization started to lay down its arms? In this context, how do you evaluate the terrorist organization's statements and developments after the dissolution decision? Also, in this context, how do you evaluate the current state of SDF-Damascus relations?

Syria's territorial integrity, unitary structure, and national unity must absolutely be protected. We had previously expressed that we welcome the reached consensus. But we see that the Syrian Democratic Forces are still continuing their stalling tactics. It is essential that they abandon this. We are following the implementation of the decisions taken very closely. The essential thing is that the promises are realized in accordance with the calendar in the consensus. Our meetings with Syrian President Mr. Ahmed Shara were in this direction. Thank God, there are no problems or troubles in the process of a Terror-Free Turkey. Developments are going in a beautiful, positive direction. Despite a few dissenting voices, the messages given are quite reasonable, positive, and constructive. Of course, with every new stage, our burden increases along with our hopes. Our friends' meetings with Syria are also continuing. We are careful against those who want to poison the process. We will not give them an opportunity. Because our goal is very clear. This goal is to get rid of this terror problem that has caused Turkey to lose time for years, caused us to lose our people who are our most valuable treasure, and played into the hands of Turkey's enemies. We have covered distance in this that we have never covered before. Hopefully, we will reach our goal of a Terror-Free Turkey. Whatever we do, we do it for our country, Turkey. Whatever we do, we do it for the peace and safety of our nation. We will never be involved in a bargain that would disturb our nation. We trust our nation, we trust the power of brotherhood.

QUESTION: You have established a team of legal experts for the new constitution efforts. How will this team work and is there a calendar? When will Turkey have a new constitution? Do you have any red lines? Also, how do you evaluate the CHP's unconstructive attitude?

A new and civil constitution is a promise we made to our nation. There is no backing down from this. We are not the only ones who made this promise. Many have spoken, and they all said "civil constitution, civil constitution." Almost all parties and leaders promised our nation a new constitution in election campaigns. So, is there a point reached? No. Because they give the promise, but they do not take a step. We have taken concrete steps in this regard and have also made our preparations. These preparations have created an infrastructure for the new constitution. The team we have assigned will hopefully do a very meticulous job. As of now, beyond political interests, we want to bring a long-term constitution to our country that will carry our country into the Century of Turkey. I have assigned 11 of our friends regarding this issue. Hopefully, they will start these efforts after the holiday. We want it to be a text that is cleared of tutelary traces, strengthens democratic legitimacy, and guarantees rights and freedoms. The language of the current constitution is already problematic. We want to prepare not a constitution with such problems, but a simple, understandable, and practice-oriented constitution cleared of them. These legal expert friends, for example, names like Professor Serap Yazıcı Özbudun, are already people who have worked on the constitution. We want to carry out these efforts with them. We are well-intentioned, and we expect a well-intentioned approach from the other side as well. We say, "come, let us fulfill the promise we made to the nation together." Because a constitution is in the nature of a social contract that covers the entire nation, not just one party. That is why we are looking for the broadest consensus here. Unfortunately, the CHP's usual "we don't want it" approach showed itself in this matter as well. Politics is shaped around the whole of society. If the CHP shows a conciliatory approach here, why shouldn't we work with them? We would. But unfortunately, such an approach is not in question.

QUESTION: The issue of the Presidential candidacy regarding the new constitution has come to the agenda. You also made a statement in this direction saying, "I have no concern about candidacy." Following this, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli made a comment. He said, "A president who cares about the homeland and the nation has no right to turn back from the path." This has been debated for weeks. There are also those who interpret it as "The President will really not be a candidate." Let us hear your interpretation of MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's statements, and perhaps you can provide clearer comments on this candidacy debate.

What we are saying here is this; our purpose with the new constitution is not to open space for ourselves, to provide individual benefits, or to carry ourselves somewhere. Let me clarify this in advance. We want the new constitution not for Tayyip Erdoğan, but for 86 million. We have a concern. The opposition, on the other hand, constantly accuses us by saying "he wants a new constitution to open a new path for himself." I must state that this is definitely a trap. We are aware of our obligations regarding Turkey's future. We take our steps accordingly. We approach the discussions on the agenda on the axis of our historical duties and responsibilities. My nation made me Mayor, Prime Minister, and President. Wherever our nation wants to see us, that is where we have been. Today, we are acting with the same sensitivity. Our concern has never been office rooms, seats, or titles. We have only one goal, and that is to provide our dear nation with the service it deserves and to build a great and strong Turkey. We entered every race by trusting only our nation. Today and tomorrow, we will listen to our nation again. We will shape our direction on the route they draw. I thank Mr. Bahçeli for his words towards me. I was truly very pleased and honored. Mr. Bahçeli is the elder of Turkish nationalism with his experience and knowledge. He has displayed a very valuable stance for the unity and solidarity of the People's Alliance and the survival of our state. Our alliance is not just aimed at winning elections, but is a state vision aimed at building Turkey's future. At the foundation of the People's Alliance lies mutual trust, a desire for stability, and a common stance on national issues. We continue on our path by getting stronger in this way.