Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his determination to draft a new constitution for the country while signaling a willingness to advance dialogue with Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Erdogan stated that the so-called “wall of terrorism” would be dismantled through the unity of Turks, Kurds, and Arabs, expressing hope that terrorism and violence would soon come to an end in Türkiye and the broader region. He emphasized the need for the country to overcome its longstanding issues, particularly terrorism, as the world undergoes major transformations.
Speaking at the eighth ordinary congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) at the Presidential Sports Complex in Ankara on Sunday, the Turkish president described the principle of a “terrorism-free Türkiye” as a broad national consensus supported by the people. He also praised an initiative by his political ally, Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and partner in the ruling People’s Alliance. Bahceli has called for dialogue with Ocalan, urging him to issue an appeal for the PKK to disband and lay down its arms, effectively declaring an end to terrorism in Türkiye.
Erdogan highlighted the role of the MHP and Bahceli in addressing Türkiye’s chronic problems, stating that eliminating terrorism would pave the way for a new era—one marked by democracy, development, unity, and regional integration. He asserted that the AKP, in its 23 years in power, has successfully integrated previously marginalized groups—including conservative Sunnis, Alevis, Kurds, and Roma—into what he called a “great and powerful Türkiye.”
Moreover, the president reaffirmed his goal of strengthening Türkiye’s democracy with a comprehensive, civilian-based constitution. Since his re-election in May 2023, he has repeatedly emphasized that the country needs a democratic, liberal, and inclusive constitution that frees it from the legacy of past military coups.
However, opposition figures and critics argue that Erdogan’s real motive for drafting a new constitution is to remove legal barriers preventing him from running for another presidential term. Under the current constitution, he is not eligible to seek re-election.
In his speech, Erdogan also took aim at the opposition, accusing it of collaborating with terrorist organizations and foreign powers to gain power. He claimed that this has led to a serious problem of “toxic democracy,” particularly evident in the country’s most recent elections in May 2023.
