Turkish parliamentary cmte discusses new constitution

Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said Monday a parliamentary committee would meet next Thursday to discuss drafting a new constitution. Speaking to reporters, Cicek said he invited the committee members to meet on October 13 to discuss wording a new civil constitution to replace the current one that was in place since 1980. The committee consists of the 12 members, three from each of the four political blocs in the house. Cicek exerted tremendous efforts to convince the ruling party and opposition to form the committee. The current constitution was placed following the military coup in Turkey in 1980. This constitution bans introduction of new articles aimed at changing the country's statute. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks a new constitution to change the political system and boost the government's grip on public affairs and subjecting the military institution to the civilian authority. Erdogan needs two thirds of the parliament to carry out any constitutional amendments.