Turkish president vows to introduce 'new civilian, liberal' constitution

ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday promised to introduce a new "civilian and liberal" constitution after the May 14 elections.

"We believe that adopting a new and civilian constitution will be of important service not only to the judiciary but also to other branches in our country.

"We want to introduce a civilian and liberal constitution prepared by the hands of the national will. If we can achieve this, the last remaining clouds over our democracy will scatter away, as well ... After the elections, we will bring this issue back to the agenda of both our nation and parliament," Erdogan said at the ceremony for the 155th anniversary of the Council of State.

Describing the constitutional amendment made in 2017 as one of the most important government reforms in the history of Türkiye, Erdogan said: "We have raised the standards of our democracy by setting clearer boundaries between the legislative, executive and judicial branches."

He stressed that the establishment of the presidential government system consolidated the principle of the separation of powers in the country.

On Sunday, Türkiye will go to polls to elect a new president and also members of the 600-seat parliament.