Dr. Mona Soliman‏‏

Recent years have seen constitutional reform emerge as one of the main issues on Türkiye’s political agenda. In the latest development, on August 12, 2026, Speaker of the Turkish Parliament Numan Kurtulmuş <a href="https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/new-constitution-a-political-obligation-says-parliament-speaker-225537" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">renewed calls</a> for Türkiye to adopt a new constitution, roughly two months after the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) <a href="https://www.zamanarabic.com/2026/06/03/%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A9/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">announced</a> that the committee tasked with drafting a new constitution had completed its work. These reforms could have significant political implications, especially if proposed amendments to presidential term limits are enacted. Such changes could pave the way for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to seek another term in the next presidential election, which is scheduled for 2028.Key ImplicationsThe efforts by the ruling party and President Erdogan to amend the constitution hold several important implications:1. Paving the Way for Another Presidential Bid: The ruling AK Party has <a href="https://aawsat.com/%D8%B4%D8%A4%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%82%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9/5287617-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A5%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%AD%D9%87-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-2028" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">announced</a> that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be its candidate in the presidential election scheduled for 2028. Unless parliament calls an early presidential election or the constitution is amended, this will be in spite of the current constitution limiting a president to two terms. Erdogan first ran for president in 2014. Subsequently, before Erdogan was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2023, &nbsp;constitutional amendments transformed Türkiye into a presidential system and granted the president broad executive powers in 2017.2. Drafting a Fully Civilian Constitution: Following his victory in the 2023 presidential election, Erdogan <a href="https://www.setav.org/en/why-the-debate-over-a-new-turkish-constitution" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">called</a> for the adoption of a civilian constitution that would "turn the page on the 1982 Constitution and lay the foundations for Türkiye’s new century." In May 2026, he <a href="https://aawsat.com/%D8%B4%D8%A4%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%82%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9/5272417-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A5%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%B7-%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84%D9%87" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">renewed</a> this call, arguing that the country had an opportunity to free the constitution from the dictates of elites and coup leaders and elevate it into a charter reflecting the will of society.The ruling party <a href="https://verfassungsblog.de/turkey-civ-constitution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">describes</a> the current constitution as a product of the authorities responsible for Türkiye’s 1980 military coup, arguing that its drafting was not subject to civilian oversight. Therefore, it contains numerous shortcomings and fails to reflect the political and social transformations Türkiye has undergone over the past four decades. As a result, Erdogan has <a href="https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/05/22/erdogan-says-he-has-no-intention-of-running-again-renews-push-for-new-constitution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">sought</a> to formulate what he describes as a "comprehensive liberal civilian constitution" that could become associated with his political legacy as Türkiye’s first constitution drafted by civilians, thereby ending the remaining legal legacy of military coups.3. Changing the Requirements for Calling an Early Presidential Election: Under the current constitution, parliament may decide to renew elections with the approval of 360 of its 600 members, a majority the governing alliance currently does not possess. This provision is particularly significant for Erdogan’s political future because Article 116 of the constitution allows a president serving a second term to run once again if parliament decides to renew the elections during that term.Therefore, the proposed constitutional amendments could seek to revise this provision and lower the parliamentary majority required to call an early election, potentially making it easier to hold an early presidential election that would enable Erdogan to seek another term.4. Providing a Legal Foundation for the Turkish-Kurdish Peace Process: On June 24, 2026, Erdogan <a href="https://www.independentarabia.com/node/651922/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%B2-%D8%A5%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D9%84-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">said</a> that work was underway to prepare a legal framework to accelerate the dissolution of the armed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), intending to bring the matter before parliament as quickly as possible. This was subsequently reflected in parliament’s adoption of the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration on August 10, 2026, introduced as part of the "Terror-Free Türkiye" process. The law regulates aspects of the organization’s dissolution and provides legal arrangements for the return and reintegration of some of its former members.The debate over constitutional reform is also linked to the peace process with the PKK, as some argue that strengthening Kurdish rights would require broader constitutional amendments.To capitalize on the political momentum surrounding the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş has <a href="https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/new-constitution-a-political-obligation-says-parliament-speaker-225537" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">argued</a> that drafting a new constitution was an obligation for Türkiye and "a political responsibility toward society." Furthermore, he suggested that the political environment had matured sufficiently for Türkiye to draft a civilian constitution, describing parliament’s vote on the law as an encouraging development in this direction.5. Linking Constitutional Reform to National Security Challenges: Some Turkish political figures have linked plans for constitutional reform to the <a href="https://www.rudaw.net/english/categories/turkey/955541" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">need</a> to address evolving national security threats. For example, on May 2, 2026, Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek argued that the existing constitution was insufficient to address changing global conditions, evolving social structures, national security threats, and growing demands for rights and freedoms, describing a new constitution as an urgent necessity.As a result, the process of drafting a new constitution could involve reconsidering some of the constitutional frameworks governing the balance between national security requirements and the protection of rights and freedoms, particularly given the continued priority Türkiye places on counterterrorism and emerging security challenges.6. Advancing the Social Vision of Erdogan and the Ruling Party: In June 2026, Erdogan <a href="https://en.haberler.com/the-ak-party-camp-has-started-president-erdogan-2275625/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">stated</a> that the headscarf was part of Türkiye’s inherited social traditions and criticized opposition to its use, alongside his <a href="https://www.trtworld.com/article/0e0fbe85c91e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">repeated</a> emphasis on protecting the institution of the family and societal values. Therefore, the process of drafting a new constitution could seek to strengthen guarantees related to freedom of dress and protection against discrimination on that basis, potentially providing explicit constitutional protection for wearing the headscarf while also strengthening provisions related to family and societal values.This possibility is reinforced by remarks made by former Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç in February 2026, <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/adalet-bakani-tunctan-yeni-anayasa-aciklamasi/3825551" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">calling</a> for constitutional reform and arguing that a new constitution should include provisions guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms without excluding anyone. He also maintained that the exercise of rights should not depend on whether a woman wears a headscarf and that the headscarf should be constitutionally protected.Notably, the AK Party’s 2023 election manifesto <a href="https://www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haberler/detay/ak-parti-secim-beyannamesini-acikladi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">linked</a> the adoption of a new constitution to preventing the reimposition of restrictions on the headscarf. The party argued that a new constitution should safeguard "freedom of thought and opinion, freedom of belief and religious practice, the protection of the family and society, and property rights." It further maintained that the new constitution should prevent a return to coercive and repressive practices, including what it described as the persecution previously experienced by women wearing the headscarf.Key ChallengesThe drafting of a new Turkish constitution is likely to face several significant challenges:1. The Governing Alliance Lacks the Required Parliamentary Majority: The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and its allies <a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/explainer-when-are-turkeys-next-elections-and-can-erdogan-run-again" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">hold</a> 328 seats in parliament, falling short of the majority required to approve constitutional amendments. Under the current <a href="https://constitutionnet.org/news/turkeys-president-denies-he-seeking-another-term-push-new-constitution" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">constitution</a>, an amendment requires the support of 360 lawmakers to be submitted to a nationwide referendum, or 400 lawmakers to be passed by parliament without the need for a popular vote. Therefore, the governing alliance lacks the parliamentary numbers needed to pass the proposed amendments on its own. To overcome this constraint, it could seek to secure the support of independent lawmakers and some Kurdish MPs.2. Opposition from Some Political Forces to Constitutional Reform: The ruling party’s plans for constitutional reform face a significant challenge from opposition forces that reject the initiative. Following his departure from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the establishment of the "New Party," Özgür Özel could play a prominent role in shaping opposition to the proposed constitutional amendments, given that he has <a href="https://chp.org.tr/haberler/chp-lideri-ozgur-ozel-kendi-ktidari-cin-anayasayi-ayaklar-altina-almaktan-cekinmeyen-biriyle-anayasa-yapmayiz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">expressed</a> opposition in recent years to cooperating with the ruling establishment on constitutional reform.3. Disagreements Among Political Parties over the Provisions of the New Constitution: Türkiye’s political parties differ considerably over both the substance and formulation of a new constitution. For example, İYİ Party leader Müsavat Dervişoğlu has made his <a href="https://ankahaber.net/haber/dervisoglu_anayasayla_ilgili_cumhurbaskanligi_hukumet_sisteminden_parlamenter_demokratik_sisteme_gecis_disinda_hicbir_konuda_masaya_oturmam_299047" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">participation</a> in any constitutional reform discussions conditional on a transition from the current presidential system to a democratic parliamentary system.Meanwhile, the Islamist Free Cause Party (HÜDA PAR) <a href="https://hudapar.org/haberler/genel-baskan%C4%B1m%C4%B1z-zekeriya-yap%C4%B1c%C4%B1oglu-bugun-ihtiyac%C4%B1m%C4%B1z-olan-sey-tamamen-yeni-ve-yerli-bir-anayasad%C4%B1r" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">argues</a> that Türkiye needs a constitution consistent with the "beliefs of the nation." This position is in line with the party’s criticism of secularism, with its chairman, Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, <a href="https://www.hudapar.org/haberler/genel-baskan%C4%B1m%C4%B1z-zekeriya-yap%C4%B1c%C4%B1oglu-turkiye-de-laiklik-dindar-insanlar%C4%B1-dovmenin-sopas%C4%B1-olarak-kullan%C4%B1ld%C4%B1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">arguing</a> that "secularism has been used as a weapon against religious people." The party has also maintained that a new constitution should contain no unamendable <a href="https://hudapar.org/yayin-detay/448s5k8p4r1fv41chmcpahaym9-YEN%C4%B0ANAYASA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">provisions</a>. This position <a href="https://chp.org.tr/haberler/deniz-yucel-hizbullah-artigi-huda-parin-anayasanin-lk-dort-maddesine-kimlerden-cesaret-alarak-dil-uzattigini-anliyoruz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">conflicts</a> with that of some opposition forces, particularly the CHP, which has repeatedly rejected proposals to amend the first four articles of the constitution.In conclusion, Türkiye’s ruling AK Party faces several challenges in securing the adoption of a new constitution. First and foremost, it lacks the required parliamentary majority, which the party may seek to overcome by reaching agreements with lawmakers from smaller parties and some Kurdish MPs. A further major challenge will be maintaining a balance between Türkiye’s identity as a "modern, democratic, secular and civilian" state and the political and cultural changes the ruling party may seek to introduce. Most Turkish opposition parties across the secular, nationalist and conservative spectrum are likely to criticize some of the proposed constitutional provisions and could organize protests against them. Nevertheless, the ruling party can be expected to mobilize its available political resources to secure the adoption of the proposed new constitution.

The AK Party’s Push for Constitutional Reform in Türkiye