Ruling coalition partner targets first 4 articles: HÜDA PAR, known for its proximity to Hezbollah, targets the constitution once again

Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, Chairman of HÜDA PAR—an alliance partner of the AKP known for its proximity to the terrorist organization Hezbollah—has repeated his controversial remarks regarding the "fourth article." Yapıcıoğlu, who previously drew backlash for his statement, "I am explaining it as if explaining it to a fool. Let me say it looking at the camera: we are saying there should not be an Article 4 in the Constitution," has maintained his insistence.

Speaking to BBC Turkish, Yapıcıoğlu said, "Now, if you put a clause in the constitution saying this or that part cannot be touched, you freeze it. This is placing a mortgage on the will of future generations. There are no ifs or buts about it."

"WE ARE NOT PRO-MONARCHY"

"No, we are not against the Republic, we are not pro-monarchy. In fact, we are saying this... In the 1924 Constitution, there is an unamendable article stating that the form of the state is a Republic. Other than that, there are no unamendable articles. Let's protect that, go ahead. Let's put in another article and say 'the form of government of the state is a Republic,' and let no one change that."

ARTICLE 4 OF THE CONSTITUTION

The constitutional article targeted by Yapıcıoğlu emphasizes the unamendability of the first three articles, which set forth the fundamental characteristics of the Republic of Turkey. Those articles are as follows:

1. Form of the State

ARTICLE 1- The State of Turkey is a Republic.

2. Characteristics of the Republic

ARTICLE 2- The Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law, within the notions of public peace, national solidarity and justice, respecting human rights, loyal to the nationalism of Atatürk, and based on the fundamental tenets set forth in the Preamble.

3. Integrity of the State, official language, flag, national anthem and capital

ARTICLE 3- The State of Turkey, with its territory and nation, is an indivisible entity. Its language is Turkish. Its flag, the form of which is specified in the relevant law, is the white crescent and star on a red background. Its national anthem is the "Independence March." Its capital is Ankara.

4. Irrevocable provisions

ARTICLE 4- The provision of Article 1 of the Constitution regarding the form of the State being a Republic, the characteristics of the Republic in Article 2, and the provisions of Article 3 shall not be amended, nor shall their amendment be proposed.

News Source: 12punto