President Erdoğan invites everyone to contribute to new constitution

Following the announcement of a possible new constitution, Turkey's president welcomed on Feb. 3 everyone who wish to contribute to drafting of the new constitution.

"Such a comprehensive work will become meaningful with the involvement of all groups in the country," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his ruling AKP's provincial congresses via video link from the party's headquarters.

Erdoğan said Monday that if AKP reaches consensus with its partner in People's Alliance, then an "action for drafting a new constitution in the upcoming period" was possible.

"We would like to see all groups, who would like to make positive contributions to the process, in the efforts for the new constitution," Erdoğan noted.

He said the constitution will be built on "historical initiatives" the AKP has taken for the country, especially the presidential system.

Erdoğan emphasized that leaving aside a constitution which has lost its integrity and consistency due to changes over the years, and working on a new constitution would pave the way for Turkey to reach its aims spanning long years ahead.

Welcoming the support by Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), for a new constitution, Erdoğan said they will pioneer the process together with MHP under their People's Alliance.

On Tuesday, Bahçeli said Turkey is "obligated" to replace its current constitution. He said the country's constitution in its present form was the "product of extraordinary conditions".

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