Turkish president tells politicians to finish charter job

The advent of a new year necessitates renewed efforts to finish drafting Turkey’s new Constitution, President Abdullah Gül said yesterday, encouraging politicians to finish the work that they have started, Hurriyet Daily News reports on Tuesday.

“I see a benefit in reminding politicians that it is the historic responsibility of parties and Parliament to conclude works on the new charter speedily, with common sense and in line with the people’s expectations,” Gül said in a written message yesterday. “There is a great opportunity for our Parliament, which has wide representation, to increase the level of our democracy.”

Gül’s message came on the final day of the mandate of Parliament’s Constitution Conciliation Commission, which has yet to complete a draft document.