Turkey: Ultranationalist leader supports Erdogan’s bid for a new constitution

Devlet Bahceli, the leader of far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) supported Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s call for a new constitution on Saturday.

Erdogan had called for a new constitution during his speech for the inauguration of the new year of the Turkish National Assembly. 

"I believe that our parliament in its new term will erase the last trace of the coups by bringing Turkey a new constitution that it deserves," Erdogan said. 

Erdogan also suggested enshrining in the constitution the right of women to wear the headscarf, after main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu vowed taking legal steps over the issue.

"Come and let's solve this, not just as a law but at the constitutional level," Erdogan said in response to the CHP (Republican People’s Party).

Bahceli gave Erdogan full support:

“When a text is presented as a constitutional amendment in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey as a result of the consultation of the parties forming the People's Alliance, the MHP will do its best to make it happen,” Bahceli said. 

Elections will be held on time

Bahceli also commented on the possibility of snap elections: “In an environment where Turkey's problems are intensifying, the discussion of holding the elections early should not be politicized. Elections will be held on 18 June 2023 within the framework of the law.”

He added that for the snap elections to be held, the National Assembly would make a decision and the government would share the opinion with other political parties.

Bahceli, claiming that “even if the elections will be held tomorrow,” the opposition does not have a candidate yet, said: “The table of six does not have a presidential candidate. There is no point in ‘making noise’ where there are no candidates."