Constitution’s basic first four articles will not be changed: PM Yıldırım

ANKARA

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Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has ruled out any possible change to the Turkish constitution’s first four articles, which state the essential tenets of the Republic, following a recent controversial remark by a Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy on the issue. 

“We have not proposed [such a change]; nor we would have anything to do with those who propose it. This is loud and clear. These [articles] form the foundation of the state and are indispensable,” Yıldırım told reporters in parliament on Jan. 15, urging everyone to refrain from “cheap polemics.”

The suggestion had drawn opposition criticism in parliament during ongoing constitution debates.

The first three articles of the constitution respectively state the basic principles of the country, namely, that the country is a republic; that it is a democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law; that its language is Turkish and capital is Ankara and that the first three articles cannot be altered.

Earlier remarks by AKP Bursa deputy İsmail Aydın over a possible change to the first four articles in the future drew criticism from both the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), with the latter’s group deputy chair saying that demanded a statement on the issue from the premier.

Asked whether he spoke with MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli on the issue, the prime minister said there was nothing to discuss, adding that the MHP leader knew very well what could and could not be changed.