European Forum

Turkey’s CHP lashes out at AKP’s constitutional amendments ahead of referendum

Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP) has detailed its hostility to the constitutional amendments proposed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which will be voted upon in a referendum on 12 September. CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu renewed his call on all "democrats" in Turkey to vote against the amendments in an eight-page letter circulated to the Brussels press on 1 September.

Transformation into “authoritarian regime”
The letter provides full details of the reasons behind CHP's opposition to the amendments. Up till now, this had been formulated only in general terms, referring to the politicisation of a judiciary that favours the ruling party of PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. If the AKP package enters into force, Turkey will be rapidly transformed into an authoritarian regime dominated by a single party, the letter warns. In it, Kılıçdaroğlu argues furthermore that Turkey's judicial authority, the High Board for Judges and Public Prosecutors (HBJP), should comply with the highest and most progressive European values and standards. Therefore, the CHP insists that the Minister of Justice should not be president of the HBJP and should not have the power to control the judiciary. According to AKP's amendments, the Minister of Justice would continue to be president of the Board.

CHP also states that  the president of the Board ought to be elected by the members of the Board, adding that authorisation to start an interrogation against judges and public prosecutors should not belong to the Minister of Justice but to the HBJP itself. According to AKP, authorisation to rule and represent the Board is given to the Minister of Justice. Authorisation to appoint the Secretary General of the Board is also given to the Minister of Justice.

Kılıçdaroğlu in his letter also warns of growing arbitrary telephone tapping by the authorities and investigations aimed at silencing opponents and pressure on the media, which are creating "a society of fear" in Turkey. Kılıçdaroğlu, who was recently elected CHP leader, is expected to pay his first visit to Brussels soon after the referendum. CHP is affiliated to Socialist International.

AKP’s motives
The ruling AKP of PM Erdoğan avoided early elections on 7 July when judges approved its proposed constitutional reforms. However, the changes will need to be approved in a referendum to be held on 12 September. CHP is campaigning against them. Kılıçdaroğlu said the amendments would result in the politicisation of the judiciary and a separation in society. CHP also sees the proposed reform as a way of allowing the AKP to keep its officials safe from prosecution for corruption, as well as strengthening the positions of the ruling party ahead of next year's parliamentary elections. Kılıçdaroğlu said he was aware of the shortcomings of the current constitution. He agreed that Turkey needed a more modern constitution and pledged to prepare a new draft if the CHP takes control of parliament. As the Turkish press recalls, Erdoğan has primarily based his referendum rhetoric on the settling of accounts with the perpetrators of the 1980 military coup, encouraging Turks to vote 'yes' so that the coup plotters can be tried.

Sources: Euractiv; Hurriyet Daily