Erdoğan to propose 'new constitution' to Özgür Özel

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered journalists' questions regarding the agenda on the plane returning from his visit to Iraq.

''THE TIME HAS COME TO HAVE A LIBERTARIAN CONSTITUTION''

Regarding the question about the meeting to be held with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, Erdoğan said, "As of now, no such appointment request has been received. However, we think it could happen. Changes are being discussed in many areas of the world. Sociologies, technologies, climates, and many other grounds are changing very rapidly. To keep up with this, the time has come for Turkey to get rid of the constitution text that inherently harbors the spirit of the old coup and to have an innovative and libertarian constitution."

''I BELIEVE THE CHP WILL SUPPORT SUCH A CHANGE''

Erdoğan continued as follows:

"I mean, I am of the thought and belief that the Republican People's Party can also support such a change. When this meeting takes place, the subject of the constitution will of course be among our discussion topics. Moreover, I know that our Parliament Speaker also has the intention to address these issues with the leaders in the meetings he will hold. Honestly, I think it is useful for us as leaders to talk about what we can do regarding this current constitution, which is very, very restrictive for us. If Mr. Özel's visit takes place, there would be nothing more natural than to talk about these with him and propose that we can take such a step. We will not refrain from working and striving for the new constitution efforts, which are one of the most important cornerstones of our Century of Turkey vision. Our efforts will continue until we provide our nation with a new and democratic constitution."