TOKAT – In a significant address marking a somber milestone in Turkey’s political history, AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman has issued a resounding call for a completely new constitution, describing the current legal framework as an outdated relic of military intervention that no longer serves the aspirations of the Turkish people. Speaking in the province of Tokat during a series of high-level political engagements, Yayman characterized the demand for a new civilian constitution as a fundamental necessity for the nation’s future, likening it to the essential needs of "bread, water, and air."
The remarks were made during a press conference held at a local hotel as part of the "Turkey’s Century Meetings" (Türkiye Yüzyılı Buluşmaları). The timing of the address was deeply symbolic, coinciding with the 46th anniversary of the September 12, 1980, military coup—a turning point that ushered in one of the most repressive eras in the nation’s modern history and resulted in the drafting of the current constitution.
A Legacy of Darkness: Reflecting on the September 12 Coup
Addressing the gathered members of the press and political representatives, Yayman began by reflecting on the profound trauma inflicted upon the Turkish psyche by the 1980 intervention. Led by General Kenan Evren, the coup remains a focal point of historical debate and collective mourning. Yayman emphasized that the intervention did more than just suspend the democratic process; it fundamentally altered the social fabric of the country by institutionalizing state-sponsored oppression.
"Today marks 46 years since the September 12 military coup, a day when Kenan Evren and his associates plunged Turkey into its darkest days," Yayman stated. He recounted the human cost of the era, noting that the lead-up to the coup was marked by orchestrated instability designed to justify military rule. According to Yayman, approximately 5,000 citizens lost their lives in the ideological clashes and violence that preceded the takeover—lives he described as being sacrificed to "prepare the ground" for the intervention.
The Deputy Chairman highlighted the arbitrary nature of the subsequent crackdown, noting that the military regime targeted individuals across the political spectrum. He pointed out that the era was defined by the suppression of thought and culture, where reading the works of the leftist poet Nazım Hikmet or the nationalist writer Nihal Atsız was sufficient grounds for imprisonment. "They divided our people into right-wingers and left-wingers," Yayman said. "They sent our youth to the gallows and filled our prisons with people simply for following literary works or holding convictions."
Yayman’s critique was particularly sharp regarding the rhetoric of the coup leaders. He recalled the infamous phrase "Should we feed them in prison instead of hanging them?"—a sentiment attributed to the era’s leadership—as a testament to the disregard for human dignity that characterized the period. He asserted that the nation has not forgiven those responsible for the suspension of democracy, stating, "As a nation, we do not grant our blessing (helal) to the putschists. We remain complainants against them today, and we shall remain complainants in the hereafter."
The Call for a "Civilian and Global" Constitution
Transitioning from the historical context to the present political landscape, Yayman argued that the most enduring and damaging legacy of the 1980 coup is the 1982 Constitution, which remains the primary legal document of the Republic of Turkey despite numerous amendments over the decades. He described the document as inherently "tutelary" and "shameful," arguing that its foundational philosophy is based on a deep-seated distrust of the citizenry.
"The constitution, which is a product of the September 12 coup, is still in force today. This coup constitution does not suit Turkey," Yayman declared. He argued that if the act of a military coup is universally condemned as a crime against democracy, then the legal framework birthed by such an act must also be viewed as illegitimate and restrictive.
The Deputy Chairman characterized the current constitution as a document that views the nation as a threat rather than a source of sovereignty. "This is a constitution made in spite of the people, not for the people," he said. "It has built walls between the state and the nation, treating its own citizens with suspicion. As the People’s Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı), our stance is clear: we say ‘New Constitution, Right Now.’"
Yayman further argued that the current framework acts as a bottleneck for Turkey’s international ambitions. He suggested that for Turkey to achieve its "global goals" and solidify its position as a major power in the "Turkey’s Century," it requires a legal foundation that reflects modern democratic values rather than the security-oriented anxieties of the 1980s. He urged all political parties across the spectrum to set aside partisan differences and contribute to the drafting of a truly civilian document.
Challenging the Opposition and Systemic Reforms
During the press conference, Yayman also addressed the ongoing debates regarding Turkey’s governmental system. While the opposition has frequently called for a return to a parliamentary system or significant restructuring of the current presidential model, Yayman indicated that the government is open to discussions, provided they begin with the constitution itself.
"The opposition speaks of restructuring the system. They say, ‘Let’s reconfigure the system.’ To them, I say: Challenge accepted (Hodri meydan). But let us start with the constitution," Yayman said. He challenged the opposition to join the government in ridding the country of the "tutelary and shameful" 1982 document. He emphasized that any discussion on systemic reform must be rooted in a new, civilian-made constitution that empowers the national will.
Yayman reiterated that the People’s Alliance—comprising the AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)—stands united on this front. He described the move toward a new constitution not as a political strategy, but as a historic duty to the Turkish people to ensure that the shadows of past military interventions are finally and fully dispelled.
A Vision for a "Terror-Free Turkey"
Beyond the constitutional debate, Yayman dedicated a significant portion of his address to the issue of national security and the government’s vision for a "Terror-Free Turkey." He described this objective as a comprehensive "state and nation project" aimed at securing the country’s progress into its second century.
The Deputy Chairman was careful to distinguish between the fight against terrorism and the relationship between different ethnic groups within the country. "Our primary focus in the ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ issue is the laying down of arms and the self-dissolution of the terrorist organization," Yayman explained. "Our core focus is not the brotherhood of Turks and Kurds—because Turks and Kurds have been brothers for a thousand years and will remain so for eternity."
Yayman emphasized that the peace and stability of the country depend on the total cessation of armed activity and the fulfillment of promises regarding the surrender of weapons. He noted that the process is not merely a political negotiation but a strategic path forward that will be monitored and verified by the National Security Council (MGK).
"Our main idea is the abandonment of weapons, the emptying of caves, and the surrender of arms. This is a path and a process, not just a final result," he said. He added that Turkey’s ability to step confidently into its second century as a republic depends on resolving these security challenges once and for all, ensuring that the state can focus its resources on development and global influence.
Strengthening the People’s Alliance in Tokat
Following the press conference, Hüseyin Yayman attended the 15th Ordinary Congress of the MHP Tokat Provincial Presidency. His presence at the event served to underscore the solidarity within the People’s Alliance. Addressing the congress, Yayman expressed his well-wishes for the newly elected officials and emphasized the importance of local organizational strength in achieving the alliance’s national goals.
The congress in Tokat highlighted the collaborative spirit between the AK Party and the MHP, with speakers emphasizing their shared commitment to the "Turkey’s Century" vision. For Yayman, the visit to Tokat was an opportunity to synchronize local political efforts with the broader national agenda of constitutional reform and security.
As the 46th anniversary of the 1980 coup concludes, the call for a new constitution remains a central pillar of the government’s rhetoric. By framing the current constitution as a "shameful" barrier to progress and a remnant of a dark past, Yayman and the AK Party leadership are signaling a renewed push to engage the public and the opposition in a fundamental rewriting of the nation’s social contract. Whether this call will lead to a consensus in the Grand National Assembly remains to be seen, but the message from Tokat was clear: for the current administration, the time for the "September 12 era" to end legally is long overdue.
