ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asserted Wednesday that his push for a new constitution is a “steadfast” national goal, aiming to deflect accusations that the move is personally motivated to allow him to seek another term in office.

Under the current constitution, Erdogan, who has been in power for 22 years, serving as prime minister from 2003 before assuming the presidency in 2014, cannot seek another presidential term. The charter limits presidents to two terms under Article 101.

In a post on X, the Turkish president stressed that the attempt to write a new constitution for Turkey “lies principled reasons, not personal concerns,” as he has been accused of using the effort for his own interest.

“Our determination to crown Turkish democracy with a new civilian constitution remains steadfast today as it was yesterday. Regardless of the circumstances, we have not deviated and will not deviate from this goal,” he added.

Erdogan emphasized that his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has a constructive approach to the matter and is ready to “act in a spirit of consensus.” 

He underscored the urgency, stating: “The sooner we as a political institution can resolve this issue, the greater service we will render to our country and our democracy.”

The president also argued that Turkey cannot achieve its “century” vision under the current constitution, which he described as rooted in a mindset that once justified executions.

To initiate a national referendum on a new charter, Erdogan must secure the backing of at least 360 lawmakers from the 600-seat parliament. If he were to obtain 400 votes, he could bypass the referendum process entirely and amend the constitution directly through parliament.

However, his ruling coalition, which includes the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), currently commands only 321 seats, well short of the required threshold. 

While Article 116 permits a third presidential bid if the parliament calls for early elections during a second term, the 2017 constitutional referendum that expanded Erdogan’s powers kept the two-term cap in place.

Observers say Erdogan’s renewed push, which has included emphasizing the need for a new constitution in recent months, may be politically motivated, and suggest that his efforts to potentially restart the peace process with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) are aimed at winning Kurdish parliamentary support to draft a new constitution that could ultimately extend his time in power.