The current constitutional discourse in Ankara is dominated by the strategic imperative for legislative re-architecture, a necessity recently articulated by Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş. Speaking before the Parliament’s Planning and Budget Commission, the Speaker asserted that the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) faces the critical and primary responsibility of not only drafting a comprehensive new national constitution but also undertaking the systematic excision of anti-democratic provisions from existing statute, citing the Political Parties Law as a particularly salient area requiring revision. This dual legislative mandate—of foundational constitutional drafting and targeted legal correction—is characterized as one of the most paramount duties of the current parliamentary term.
This constitutional reform is procedurally grounded in the work of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission. Mr. Kurtulmuş highlighted that this commission has operated on a foundational principle of pluralism, a methodology deemed reflective of the nation’s democratic maturity. To construct a robust framework for reform, the commission has actively engaged with the political and civic landscape, formally consulting with approximately 130 distinct institutions and organizations. This extensive process has culminated in the establishment of a “strong body of knowledge and experience,” and the Speaker signaled the imminent completion of the commission’s work, anticipating the submission of its final report to the TBMM, which will catalyze the formal legislative deliberation phase.
The impetus behind this call for constitutional renewal is framed as an essential component of national security policy and strategic stability. The Speaker explicitly linked the constitutional project to the overarching objective of achieving a “Terror-Free Türkiye,” arguing that current regional and global geo-political conditions mandate a definitive resolution to the issue of terrorism to safeguard lasting peace and brotherhood. Concurrent with this high-level focus on foundational law, the Parliament’s recent legislative output remains robust: during the 28th term, 3,340 draft laws were submitted, culminating in the enactment of 110 new laws from the 202 that advanced to the General Assembly. Furthermore, the legislature has maintained an active role in international legal engagement, reviewing 72 international agreements and issuing 14 joint declarations, which reinforces the operational context for the proposed constitutional overhaul.
