Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Turkey’s New Constitution Sacks the Ministry of Defense, Military Judiciary System | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan cheer at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey July 16, 2016. (Reuters)


Ankara – Justice and Development ruling party in Turkey is considering including between 50 and 100 new articles in the new constitution. The new articles will include a complete presidential system and abolishing of ministry of defense, military justice system and higher education council.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that according to the new constitution, the president is commander of armed forces and runs the internal and foreign policies.

The president will also have the power to approve and veto the parliament’s decisions. He will also have to declare the name of the vice president before the elections, similar to the system of the U.S.

Based on the new constitution, the president will have the power to resolve the parliament, but sources said that it was opposed. Also, the president could be investigated according to the new constitution in the cases of person crimes or crimes related to his position.

The draft of the new constitution also included the abolishment of the military justice system, which will be replaced by the state council and the higher court.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim hoped that the Democratic Party of the People, Turkey’s biggest opposition party, would join the discussions on the new constitutions.

Sunday, the ministry of defense announced it had arrested 168 officers and 123 navy officers based on relations to the alleged coup attempt that happened last July.

Turkey detained on Friday the head of the board of opposition daily Cumhuriyet, Akin Atalay, along with nine other editors, on charges of attempting a coup and supporting terrorist organizations.

On other matters, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused European Commission of wanting Turkey to abandon its bid to join the EU, hinting that he might put the question to a referendum.

“The European Union is trying to compel us to withdraw from this (accession) process. If they don’t want us they should be clear about this, they should make a decision,” Erdogan told the accompanying press on his way back from Belarus.

“Our patience is not endless. If need be, later, we could also consult our people,” he said, alluding to the UK’s Brexit referendum in June.

Relations between Ankara and the EU became even more stressed in the wake of the failed coup in Turkey in July.
“Some people are saying we should lift the state of emergency. Why would we lift it now?” commented Erdogan.