Preparations for system changes in the People's Alliance: 'It is necessary to clarify the number'

Following the conclusion of the budget marathon in the TBMM (Grand National Assembly of Turkey), all eyes have turned to the new constitution negotiations.

TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş had previously stated regarding the new constitution talks: "The most correct path is to finish it in a short time, well-planned and without rushing, in a way that will not span many long years."

According to a report in Gazete Duvar, action is expected to be taken at the beginning of 2025 for the AKP and MHP's call for a new constitution.

In line with this, TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş will also visit political parties as part of the new constitution discussions.

AKP members commented on the new constitution, which the opposition has approached with caution, saying: "This work is a very good ground for us to talk to each other. Even if we cannot draft the constitution, we should be able to sit down and talk; this would have a great benefit for both us and society."

While the People's Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı) does not abandon the Presidential Government System, AKP and MHP sources said that a revision could be made to the system with a new constitution.

It was learned that one of these revisions concerns clarifying the number of vice presidents.

Reminding that the opposition had planned to appoint seven vice presidents if they won the election during the Six-Table (Altılı Masa) process, AKP members commented: "The Six-Table showed us that a limit should be placed on the number of vice presidents. To have a stable management structure, it is necessary to regulate this and clarify the number."

SECOND PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE: MINISTERS MAY RETURN TO PARLIAMENT

Another revision proposal came regarding ministers. In the current system, when a minister is appointed from the Parliament, they must resign as a member of parliament. When the resigned member leaves their ministerial post, they cannot return to their parliamentary seat. AKP officials noted that with a regulation to be made, members of parliament appointed to ministries from the Assembly could be given the opportunity to return to their seats within the same term.

THIRD EXPECTATION FOR CHANGE IS FOR EARLY ELECTIONS

It was learned that another issue planned for change is the regulation on early elections.

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will complete his term, which is two terms according to the current constitution, in 2028. There are two ways for Erdoğan to be a candidate again. The first is to make a change in the constitution regarding the president's term of office, and the second is for the Parliament to take an early election decision.

According to the constitution, an early election decision can be taken in the Parliament with 360 votes. There is no limitation regarding the calendar for this. It is possible to move the election, which should be held in May 2028, forward by one year or by one month with a parliamentary decision. In both cases, an early election takes place. However, this situation is a subject of criticism. For example, there is a provision that "a by-election cannot be held within 1 year of general elections."

Both the opposition and ruling party officials say that it needs to be clarified within what timeframe this authority of the Parliament can be used for early elections.

News Source: 12punto