Gianni Buquicchio

Commenting on the constitutional reform, Buquicchio said the package was a good step forward and a “really needed step for Turkey.” Criticizing the high judiciary, Buquicchio said Turkey had a judicial caste and a judicial monopoly. He also labeled the country's constitutional system a “democracy under tutelage.”

The European Commission for Democracy through Law, better known as the Venice Commission, is the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional matters. Established in 1990, the commission has played a leading role in the adoption of constitutions that conform to the standards of Europe's constitutional heritage.

Amid the heated debate in the run-up to voting day, Buquicchio made it clear that they fully support the package with some minor criticisms and hoped that the package would be approved by the Turkish people. A “no” vote, the president of the Venice Commission said, would be a step backward for Turkey and would have political consequences. Though a bit disappointed that Ankara did not consult the Venice Commission over the package, Buquicchio said he was for a brand new constitution and hoped that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would keep his promise for a new constitution after next year's general elections. He called on the government to seek their help for a new and democratic constitution.

In an exclusive interview with Today's Zaman in Strasbourg, Buquicchio said the constitutional amendment package is a good step forward and is a highly needed step for Turkey.

He said he hopes very much personally that the referendum will receive a positive result. However, if a “no” vote emerges out of the ballot box, it would be a step backwards for Turkey. “There would be a lot of political consequences. If the referendum gets a negative response, that would, in my opinion, be a very bad moment for Turkey,” he noted.

Today's Zaman