The Turkish authorities’ constitutional reforms are nothing but an attempt to strengthen their political positions and determine their chances in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, the expert in Turkic studies Artur Hakobyan told NEWS.am.

According to him, the document does not provide for any real reform in Turkey’s domestic life. The expert stressed that the constitutional reforms will not influence Turkey’s policy toward Armenia.

Although the Turkish Opposition is against the document, the ruling party will be able to push it through. “I should stress, however, that the opposition parties took up a violent struggle against the document. Kurdish parties are urging their supporters to vote against the document, as it does not resolve the Kurdish problem. The other opposition parties believe the document will not bring any real changes in Turkey’s public and political life. Still others believe that by adopting the draft reforms Turkey will lose its chance of adopting a new constitution. The Nationalist Movement Party considered the document an anti-national one and claims that, if the document is adopted, Turkey will be divided between Kurds and Armenians and the Armenian Genocide will be admitted,” Hakobyan said.

He stressed that the party’s claims are groundless, as the adoption of the document will by no means contribute to the admission of the Armenian Genocide to say nothing of Turkey’s division between Kurds and Armenians.

A constitutional referendum is to be held in Turkey on September 12.