Irrevocable articles still disputed at charter panel

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Two-day long negotiations at Parliament’s Constitution Conciliation Commission over the “preamble” and “general principles” sections have failed to yield results, with parties continuing to have differences over the “irrevocable” first three articles of the Constitution.

Both the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) opposed any debate over these articles as they are “irrevocable,” arguing that the fourth article, which declares the first three as “irrevocable,” should be debated first.

Members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) differed, arguing for discussion of the first three articles because all Commission members had previously proposed changes to them. The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) also argued in favor of discussion of the relevant articles. However, Article No. 1 that states, “The Turkish State is a republic” became the next topic. All four political parties suggested an amendment changing it to “the State of Turkey is a republic.” Therefore, all parties agreed on the term “republic.”

For Articles No. 2 and 3, which refer to the characteristics of the republic, a compromise could not be reached. Article No. 3 currently regulates the integrity of the state, the official language, flag, national anthem and capital, while Article No. 2 defines the state as a “democratic, secular and social state.”