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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday called on political parties to work toward a new civilian constitution, describing the effort as "a real test of sincerity for everyone," as parliament opened its new legislative year.
Addressing the Turkish parliament, President Erdogan said the current constitution still bears the "residue" of the 1980 coup and expressed hope that the year ahead would be "a constitution year."
The Turkish president linked the constitutional push to the "Terror-Free Türkiye" process, saying the 467-vote parliamentary consensus on its framework law shows the assembly can reach agreement on vital national issues.
"Rolling up our sleeves for a new and civilian constitution befitting the Century of Türkiye is a real test of sincerity for everyone," he stated.
"I hope that the legislative year we are in will be a constitution year that develops Türkiye's opportunities and possibilities," he said, urging political parties to act "in line with their commitments."
"Our nation's longing for a new constitution should not be made a prisoner of manufactured fears and delusions. Our stance on the first 4 articles of the current Constitution is already clear," the Turkish president said, referring to the articles that define the republic's fundamental characteristics.
President Erdogan said the two constitutions produced by coups over the past 70 years were "born paralyzed by an existential crisis."
"The contract between the state and society, between the individual and the state, was signed under the shadow of weapons and bayonets," he said.
He noted that the leaders of the Sept. 12, 1980, coup were later tried and convicted, but that the current constitution still bears their signature as its author.
"I say it openly: our nation neither deserves nor consents to this. Türkiye must definitely be freed from this shame," he said.
"Despite the 150 years that have passed since the Kanun-i Esasi, the issue of a new constitution still stands before Turkish politics as an 'exam paper,'" he said, referring to the Ottoman Empire's first constitution.
"The goal of a new and civilian constitution is a struggle for Turkish democracy to prove its maturity. This Veteran Assembly, the heart of national sovereignty, is qualified and authorized to make a constitution in every period and under all conditions," he said.
He said the current parliament, with its political diversity, may be "the most ideal period" for a constitutional effort.
"A new constitution that will broaden Türkiye's horizon will be the product not of polarization politics, but of the new politics based on 'competition within consensus,'" the Turkish president said.
"In an environment where our region has turned into a ring of fire, the 'Terror-Free Türkiye' efforts have already had a deterrent effect on Türkiye's adversaries, have further strengthened Türkiye's power, and ushered in a new momentum in our region," Erdogan stated.
He thanked Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli for his support and the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) group for its contributions to the process.
"As stipulated in the framework law, there is a monitoring process. When the necessary steps are taken, our relevant institutions will also do what is necessary," he said.
"The shelf life of 'front politics' in Türkiye built solely on opposition to the government has expired," he stated.
"Global and regional developments necessitate a new style of politics. At this point, we have two options: either we will continue with the old style of politics that centers on polarization, or we will make dominant in Türkiye a new politics based on meeting on common ground and competition within consensus," he said.
"Every political party's priority should be, must be, Türkiye. Every political party should pursue Türkiye-centered politics, drawing strength and inspiration from Türkiye's own internal dynamics and its own base," he said, adding, "We call this 'strengthening the home front.' We call this the 'Great Türkiye Consensus.'"
President Erdogan said polarizing differences between Sunnis and Alevis, Turks and Kurds, or Muslims and non-Muslims would amount to "breaking Türkiye's factory settings," and accused what he called an "imperialist-Zionist alliance" of seeking to exploit social fault lines in the region.
"I want it to be known that neither Türkiye nor the Turkish nation can tolerate losing anymore. No one has the right to make Türkiye and the Turkish nation lose," he said.
"As politicians, our first duty is to serve our dear nation, whose trust we carry, as it deserves. All of us, including myself, are obliged to find solutions to the nation's problems," he said.
"It is clear that we must hold the reputation of the Turkish parliament, the place where the national will is manifested, above everything," he added.
President Erdogan said Türkiye's economy grew 2.5% in the first half of 2026, while defense and aerospace exports rose 16.2% to $6.3 billion in the first eight months.
On the investment fund crisis, he said: "In accordance with the capital market regulations, we are swiftly resolving this matter while upholding fairness and justice and ensuring that no one's rights are infringed upon. We will not allow this issue to turn into a threat to our economic security and social peace."
Türkiye's banking regulator on Wednesday transferred the management of three investment banks and two factoring companies to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund over developments linked to the fund investigation.
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Lawmakers from the main opposition Yeni (New) Party left the chamber as President Erdogan took the podium.
Bahceli presented President Erdogan with red and white roses after the speech, as the Turkish president renewed his call for a civilian constitution in the new legislative year.
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