Turkey’s constitutional conundrum: Erdogan’s ‘libertarian’ pledge raises alarm bells

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he wanted his country to have a new “libertarian” constitution, raising concerns that the move will help him cement his power indefinitely.

Erdogan told participants Tuesday at a ceremony for new judges and prosecutors that the current constitution was a product of previous coups.

“We cannot accept that we are welcoming the centenary of our republic with a post-coup constitution,” Erdogan told the meeting.

“God willing, we should crown the intensive struggle we have been waging in the judiciary since 2002 with a civilian, libertarian, and inclusive constitution,” Erdogan added. Turkey’s current constitution was written after a 1980 military coup.

Erdogn may seek to change the election system

Özgür Ünlühisarcıklı, Ankara director for the German Marshall Fund, said Erdogan wants to change the rule that winning presidential candidates must gain 50% of the popular vote plus at least one additional vote. READ MORE