Representatives from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), opposition People's Republican Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) gathered yesterday to discuss a new, small constitutional package. It isthe first step toward a new constitution. The meeting was held at the Honorary Hall of Parliament, which was hit by an airstrike during the July 15 coup attempt.

Speaking at the press conference held before the meeting, AK Party Secretary-General Abdülhamit Gül said the party representatives will evaluate what amendments could be made to the current Constitution and will then submit a report to their party leaders.

CHP Deputy Chairman Bülent Tezcan described the meeting as an important step toward fixing the problems in Turkey's politics. Mehmet Parsak from the MHP's Central Executive Board stressed that the leaders of the three parties gathered at the Yenikapı rally in Istanbul – where around 5 million people gathered recently to show solidarity against the coup attempt – and expressed their willingness for a constitutional change and solidarity, in addition to sticking with democracy against juntas.