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Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long held ambitious to replace Kemal Ataturk (founder of the Republic of Turkey) as the country’s most revered leader, distancing himself from the founder’s ideals and emphasizing Turkey’s Ottoman and Islamic heritage over its more recent history.
The following are most important changes, Ataturk westernized Turkey society, Erdogan view the west and its socio economic order with suspicion, Erdogan encourage Ottoman nostalgia, which Ataturk despised, and Ataturk separated religion and state, while Erdogan did the reverse.
Mr. Erdogan came to power in 2003; he did a lot that was good. Encouraged by I.M.F and EU, he tamed inflation and usher in economic growth, talked the cable of military officers and bureaucrats in the “deep state” strengthened civil liberties.
But today Turkey is beset by problems in which the shadow of the Syrian civil war. Jihadist and Kurdish militants are waging campaigns against the state.
The economy once strength is growing slowly plagued by cronyism, poor management and a collapse in tourism.
The reason behind for the national currency’s decline are not difficult to grasp, months of bombing, an attempted coup failed attempt, which Erdogan believe was organized by Fathullah Gulan, friction with EU and worsening repression have sent Turkey’s economy spiraling downward.
Journalist Asli Aydintasbas stated that “The national mythos that’s been created since July 15 is that this is the second war of independence. Erdoğan, Turkey, it’s merged into this national mythology”.
When Erdogan realized that the ball is in his yard, Erdogan long held ambition time has come he demanded change in the constitution, he believes Turkish people that changing in the constitution will bring stability in Turkey again.
Well this is not what Erdogan believe in, the bottom-line is that he is afraid of losing his position and wants to change constitution to become more powerful so that he can remain in the office and suppress those who stand against him.
After 15 July failed coup attempt , its almost 9 months the Turkey is still under emergency condition, where roughly 50,000 people have been arrested, 100,000 more have been sacked, only a fraction of them were involved in the coup. Turkey becomes the world’s biggest prison for journalists and just banned Wikipedia, labeling it a ‘national security threat.
Anyone Mr. Erdogan sees as a threat is vulnerable, ordinary folk who went to a Gulenist school or saved with a Gulenist bank, academics, journalist and politicians who betery any sympathy for Kurdish cause anybody including children who mocks the President on social media.
After referendum now formally the new constitution will abolishes the Prime Minister office and divides power between the minister’s office and parliament which legislate and the president who act. In practice it enthrones and the president as a Sultan and parliament as his court.
Mr. Sentop points out that France and the United States have powerful president too. But under the new constituent unlike the Assemble National and Congress, the Turkish Parliament will not control the details of spending or have a say over Presidential appointment. Neither will it be able to object the Cabinet to questions except in writing.
The plan turns Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential republic. Among the numerous changes:
The president becomes the head of the executive, as well as the head of state, and retains ties to a political party.
He or she will be given sweeping new powers to appoint ministers, prepare the budget, choose the majority of senior judges and enact certain laws by decree.
The president alone will be able to announce a state of emergency and dismiss parliament. The reform has met strong criticism abroad.
The Venice commission stated that the new constituent “lacks the necessary checks and balance to safe guard against becoming an authoritarian and a dangerous step backwards”.
Human Rights watch an NGO says that it poses “a huge threat to human rights, the rule of law and the country democratic future.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan gets the power he has long wanted. Expanding the constitution power of Turkish president Erdogan will have profound consequences for the future of the country’s democratic intuitions.
This change in the constituent will bring radical change of the State since 1923, when it went from being an Imperial Islamic power to secular republic under Ataturk. Turkey is divided between secular, religious and nationalist citizens as well as Turks, Kurds, Alevis, and a few remaining Greeks, Armenians and Jews. If the religious conservative majority try to shut out everyone else just as they were once shut up, Turkey will never be stable.
By Ayoub Khan
Ayoub Khan is a freelance writer. He can be reached at
Princemuskan25@gmail.com also Ayoub Khan Facebook
