ANKARA – In an unexpected comment Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke of the need to draft a new and “civilian” constitution for Turkey.
During a televised speech following a Cabinet meeting, Erdogan recalled that the country’s last two constitutions — enacted in 1961 and 1982 — were drafted following military coups, and contained “indelible” traces of the “military tutelage.” Erdogan said the new constitution should be a “civilian” one, but didn't elaborate. “Perhaps the time has come for Turkey to debate a new constitution,” Erdogan said. “This work must be conducted in front of the people and through the participation of all of their representatives in a transparent manner, and the text that emerges must be presented