PM reiterates no new constitution before next year's general elections

No new constitution is planned before next year's general elections, reiterated Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. Commenting on remarks by main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu that a new constitution could be drawn up before the elections, Erdogan said, "The countdown to elections will start in March. What does this mean? It means we have two months (April and May) in 2011 (before possible elections in June). Let's take steps on a new constitution after the elections." He added, "Our goal for the time being is to issue harmonization laws. We can take steps towards a new constitution after the elections."