The Council of State ( Turkish : Danıştay ) is the highest administrative court in the Republic of Turkey and is located in Ankara . Its role and tasks are prescribed by the Constitution of Turkey within the articles on the supreme courts.
63-493: According to Article 155 of the Turkish Constitution (1982), "The Council of State is the last instance for reviewing decisions and judgments given by administrative courts and not referred by law to other administrative courts. It shall also be the first and last instance for dealing with specific cases prescribed by law. The Council of State shall try administrative cases, give its opinion within two months on
126-424: A parliamentary regime into a presidential one. Suffrage is universal for citizens 18 years of age and older. Turkey is a presidential representative democracy and a constitutional republic within a pluriform multi-party system , in which the president (the head of state and head of government ), parliament , and judiciary share powers reserved to the national government. The government
189-559: A key player in shaping regional dynamics and promoting stability and prosperity in the broader neighborhood. Article 101, Section 1 of the Constitution sets three qualifications for holding the presidency. To serve as president, one must: If a presidential candidate is a member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly , they must resign their seat due to separation of powers. The principles regarding
252-427: A party must win at least 7% of the national vote in a national parliamentary election. Independent candidates may run, and to be elected, they must only win enough to get one seat. The freedom and independence of the judicial system is protected within the constitution. There is no organization, person, or institution which can interfere in the running of the courts, and the executive and legislative structures must obey
315-634: A public service proposing reforms to the Government and the administrations to further these goals; and actively participating in the international promotion of human rights . The institution is independent of the government and answers to the Parliament alone. The ombudsman is elected for a period of 4 years by the Parliament. Throughout the Cold War , Turkey 's most important ally has been
378-522: A referendum regarding constitutional amendments , a supermajority (three fifths of the votes) in the parliament is required first. These kinds of referendums are binding. In May 2023, President Erdogan won a new re-election and his AK Party with its allies held parliamentary majority in the general election . Every Turkish citizen who has turned 18 has the right to vote and stand as a candidate at elections. Universal suffrage for both sexes has been applied throughout Turkey since 1934. According to
441-672: A superficial level, the importance which state officials attach to these principles and their posts can be seen in their response to breaches of protocol in official ceremonies. After World War II, Turkey started operating under a multi-party system . On the center right to right side of the Turkish political spectrum , these parties have had large majorities: Some other parties that have had similar politics but never had large majorities are: Turkish right-wing parties are more likely to embrace principles of political ideologies such as conservatism , nationalism or Islamism . On
504-594: Is independent of the executive and the legislature. Its current constitution was adopted on 7 November 1982 after a constitutional referendum . Major constitutional revisions were passed by the National Assembly on 21 January 2017 and approved by referendum on 16 April 2017. The reforms, among other measures, abolished the position of Prime Minister and designated the President as both head of state and government, effectively transforming Turkey from
567-474: Is a regular business day of the Grand National Assembly . The president is elected for a term of office of five years and is eligible for one re-election. An exception exists when a president's term ends with a parliamentary decision (i.e., impeachment and removal from office). In this case, the president may be re-elected for an additional term, with the incomplete term not counting against
630-614: Is carried out by the Constitutional Court . The Constitutional Court supervises the compliance of the property acquisitions, income and expenses of political parties with the Law. Presidents of political parties are obliged to submit a certified copy of the final account and the final accounts of the local organizations, including the party headquarters and its affiliated districts, to the Constitutional Court and to
693-457: Is convicted by the Court would be removed from office. The provision of this article shall also apply to the offenses for which the president allegedly worked during his term of office. Before the 2017 constitutional referendum , the president was not accountable for its actions and orders, except for impeachment due to high treason . All presidential decrees, except those which the president
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#1732773088058756-419: Is cumulatively built on the following principles: Most mainstream political parties are alternatively built either on the following principles: Other political ideas have also influenced Turkish politics and modern history. Of particular importance are: These principles are the continuum around which various – and often rapidly changing – political parties and groups have campaigned (and sometimes fought). On
819-487: Is divided into three branches, as per the specific terms articulated in part three of the Turkish Constitution : Legislative power is invested in the 600-seat Grand National Assembly of Turkey ( Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi ), representing 81 provinces. The members are elected for a five-year term by mitigated proportional representation with an election threshold of 7%. To be represented in Parliament,
882-411: Is empowered to enact on his own, had to be signed by the prime minister and the minister concerned, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and other laws. Thus, the prime minister and the concerned ministers were accountable for these decrees, not the president. The decisions and orders signed by the president on his own initiatives may not be appealed to any judicial authority, including
945-478: Is entitled to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms under conditions of national peace and prosperity and in a spirit of national solidarity and justice, and do my utmost to preserve and exalt the glory and honour of the Republic of Turkey and perform without bias the functions that I have assumed. The inauguration happens in the Grand National Assembly . The oath is broadcast live on TBMM-TV regardless of it
1008-503: Is held on the last Sunday within forty-five days following the day the office is vacant. The president elected in this way continues his duty until the election date of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. For the president who has completed the remaining term, this period is not counted as a term. If the elections are not completed, the current president's office continues until the new one takes office. In
1071-695: Is highly centralized. However, as a member state of the Council of Europe , Turkey is under an obligation to implement the European Charter of Local Self-Government . In its 2011 report, the Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe found fundamental deficits in implementation, in particular administrative tutelage and prohibition of the use of languages other than Turkish in the provision of public services. The Turkish Constitution
1134-426: Is the 12th and current president of Turkey, who has held the office since 28 August 2014. The office of the President was established with the proclamation of the republic on 29 October 1923. In the voting held on the same day, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was unanimously elected as the first president. From this date until 2014, all presidents except Kenan Evren were elected by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Among
1197-571: The 2007 referendum , the Grand National Assembly would elect one of its members as the President. Before executing the powers of the office, a president is required to recite the presidential Oath of Office , found in Article 103, Section 1 of the Constitution . This is the only component in the inauguration ceremony mandated by the Constitution: In my capacity as President of the Republic, I swear upon my honour and integrity before
1260-460: The 2017 constitutional referendum , it was further lowered to 18. Political parties can use donations , dues, real estate income and income from party activities to continue their activities. Since 1965, the Treasury also gives money to political parties. According to the law, parties that participated in the last parliamentary elections and that passed the general threshold are paid 0.04% of
1323-567: The Constitution of the Ottoman Empire (1876), the age of candidacy was 30 and the voting age was 25. In the newly established Republic of Turkey, the voting age was reduced to 18 due to the decreasing population, and the age of candidacy was still 30. The voting age was increased to 22 in 1934, decreased to 21 in 1987, and 18 in 1995. The age of candidacy dropped from 30 to 25 through a constitutional amendment in 2006. Following
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#17327730880581386-478: The Constitutional Court . The only accountability the president had was impeachment for high treason on the proposal of at least one-third of the total number of the members of the parliament and by the decision of at least three-fourths of the total number of the members. The Presidential Complex in Ankara is the official residence of the president. It was formally inaugurated as the official residence of
1449-917: The United States , which shared Turkey 's interest in containing Soviet expansion . In support of the United States , Turkey contributed personnel to the UN forces in the Korean War (1950–1953), joined NATO in 1952, recognized Israel in 1948 and has cooperated closely with it. Turkey 's alliance with Israel during the Arab–Israeli conflict strained its relations with the Arab world and Iran , and subsequently led to overt Syrian support for Palestinian and Armenian terrorist operations against Turkish diplomats abroad until 1990. President of Turkey The president of Turkey , officially
1512-790: The far-right , there have been nationalist parties and Islamist parties: On the left side of the spectrum, parties like Republican People's Party (CHP), Social Democratic Populist Party (SHP) and Democratic Left Party (DSP) once enjoyed the largest electoral success. Left-wing parties are more likely to embrace principles of socialism , Kemalism or secularism . Elections in Turkey are held for six functions of government : presidential elections (national), parliamentary elections (national), municipality mayors (local), district mayors (local), provincial or municipal council members (local) and muhtars (local). Apart from elections , referendums are also held occasionally. To put forward
1575-535: The president of the Republic of Türkiye ( Turkish : Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanı ), is the head of state and head of government of Turkey . The president directs the executive branch of the national government and is the commander-in-chief of the Turkish military . The president also heads the National Security Council . The office of the president of Turkey was established with
1638-415: The proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye on 29 October 1923, with the first president and founder being Mustafa Kemal Atatürk . Traditionally, the presidency was mostly a ceremonial position, with real executive authority being exercised by the prime minister of Turkey . However, constitutional amendments approved in the 2017 constitutional referendum abolished the office of prime minister, and vested
1701-548: The 1961 Constitution made after the 1960 coup, it was decided that presidents should cut off any relation with political parties. Evren, who was governing the country as the head of state and the head of the National Security Council after the 1980 coup, was appointed to the Presidency on 7 November 1982, when the constitution was adopted by popular vote, in accordance with the first provisional article of
1764-416: The 1982 Constitution. With the 2007 constitutional amendment referendum, it was decided that the president would be elected by the people, and in the first elections held on 10 August 2014 after this change, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was elected president by the people. The president, who is the head of state, is also the head of government after the 2017 constitutional amendment referendum. As head of state ,
1827-498: The Articles 104 of the Constitution . The president performs also the duties of selection and appointment, and other duties conferred by the Constitution and statutes. According to the constitutional amendments approved in the 2017 referendum , in the event of a temporary absence of the president on account of illness, travel abroad or similar circumstances, the vice president of Turkey serves as Acting President, and exercises
1890-583: The Assembly, and ten days after its distribution, the report would be discussed on the floor. Upon the approval of two-thirds of the total number of the Assembly by secret vote, the person or persons, about whom the investigation was conducted, may be tried before the Constitutional Court . The trial would be finalized within three months, and if not, a one-time additional period of three months shall be granted. A president about whom an investigation has been initiated may not call for an election . A president who
1953-426: The Assembly, each nominated by the political parties in proportion to their representation therein. The commission would submit its report indicating the outcome of the investigation to the speaker within two months. If the investigation is not completed within this period, the commission's time renewed for another month. Within ten days of its submission to the speaker, the report would be distributed to all members of
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2016-473: The Great Turkish Nation and before history to safeguard the existence and independence of the state, the indivisible integrity of the country and the nation, and the absolute sovereignty of the nation, to abide by the Constitution, the rule of law, democracy, the principles and reforms of Atatürk, and the principles of the secular republic, not to deviate from the ideal according to which everyone
2079-674: The Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Supreme Court for information, until the end of June. Since Mustafa Kemal Atatürk founded the modern secular Republic of Turkey in 1923, the Turkish military has perceived itself as the guardian of Atatürkçülük , the official state ideology. The TAF still maintains an important degree of influence over Turkish politics and the decision-making process regarding issues related to Turkish national security, albeit decreased in
2142-621: The Turkish people trust the most. On 15 July 2016, factions within the Turkish Military attempted to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , citing growing non-secularism and censorship as motivation for the attempted coup. The coup was blamed on the influence of the vast network led by U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen . In the aftermath of the failed coup, major purges have occurred, including that of military officials, police officers, judges, governors and civil servants. There has also been significant media purge in
2205-402: The aftermath of the failed coup. There has been allegations of torture in connection with these purges. In 2012 the position of ombudsman was created, due to the ratification of the 2010 referendum . The ombudsman is charged with solving, without the need to a recourse before the courts, the disagreements between citizens and the administrations and other entities charged with a mission of
2268-688: The army is a party to "arguments" regarding secularism ; that Islamism ran counter to the secular nature of the Turkish Republic, and to the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk . The Army's statement ended with a clear warning that the Turkish Armed Forces stood ready to intervene if the secular nature of the Turkish Constitution is compromised, stating that "the Turkish Armed Forces maintain their sound determination to carry out their duties stemming from laws to protect
2331-415: The conditions and the contracts under which concessions are granted concerning public services, settle administrative disputes, and discharge other duties prescribed by law. Threefourths of the members of the Council of State shall be appointed by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors from among the first category administrative judges and public prosecutors, or those considered to be of this profession; and
2394-467: The constitutional amendments approved in the referendum, the Grand National Assembly may initiate an investigation of the president, the vice president or any member of the Cabinet upon the proposal of simple majority of its total members, and within a period less than a month, the approval of three-fifths of the total members. The investigation would be carried out by a commission of fifteen members of
2457-474: The courts' decisions. The courts, which are independent in discharging their duties, must explain each ruling on the basis of the provisions of the Constitution, the laws, jurisprudence, and their personal convictions. The Judicial system is highly structured. Turkish courts have no jury system; judges render decisions after establishing the facts in each case based on evidence presented by lawyers and prosecutors. For minor civil complaints and offenses, justices of
2520-539: The election of the President are regulated in Article 101 of the Constitution and in the Presidential Election Law. In the election to be held by universal suffrage, the candidate who receives the absolute majority of the valid votes is elected president. If this majority is not achieved in the first round, a runoff is held on the second Sunday following this vote. The two candidates who received
2583-480: The election of the president is held together with the general election of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on the first Sunday following the sixtieth day after the vacancy of the office. In the event that the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason and there is more than one year remaining for the general election of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the presidential election
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2646-464: The end of their term of office." Currently within the Turkish Council of State there are 15 divisions; 14 of them are judicial divisions and one of them is consultative division. In each division, there are at least five members, including the head of the division. Judgments are delivered by an absolute majority. The Plenary Assembly of the Council of State consists of 156 members, including
2709-447: The event that the Turkish Grand National Assembly decides that it is not possible to hold new elections due to the war, the presidential election is postponed for one year. If the reason for the postponement has not disappeared, this process can be repeated according to the procedure in the postponement decision. 2017 constitutional referendum extended the president's accountability beyond impeachment due to high treason . According to
2772-413: The first round. If only one candidate remains for the second round, this ballot shall be then conducted as a referendum. A presidential candidate receives the majority of the valid votes shall be elected as president. If that candidate fails to receive the majority of the valid votes in the election, the presidential election will be scheduled to be renewed. Before the constitutional amendments approved in
2835-537: The first two decades of the 21st century, publishing an e-memorandum in 2007, and attempting a coup in 2016. On 27 April 2007, in advance of 4 November 2007 presidential election, and in reaction to the politics of Abdullah Gül , who has a past record of involvement in Islamist political movements and banned Islamist parties such as the Welfare Party , the army issued a statement of its interests. It said that
2898-538: The former presidents, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, İsmet İnönü and Celâl Bayar served as presidents affiliated with a political party. Atatürk and İnönü continued to serve as both the chairman and the president of the Republican People's Party , while Celâl Bayar resigned from the Democrat Party chairmanship when he started his presidency, but continued to be a party member during his presidency. With
2961-438: The framework of a constitutional republic and presidential system , with various levels and branches of power. Turkey's political system is based on a separation of powers . Executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers , which is appointed and headed by the President, who serves as country's head of state and head of government . Legislative power is vested in the Grand National Assembly . The judiciary
3024-567: The general budget revenues each year. Apart from this, the parties that received more than 3 percent of the votes despite being below the threshold are also given public funding in proportion of support. This amount triples in election years. Political parties can't receive aid or donations in kind or in cash from foreign states, international organizations and entities not of Turkish nationality. The same rule applies for candidates in presidential elections . Anonymous donations to political parties are also not allowed. It should be clearly stated in
3087-459: The headscarf, have been charged with "lack of discipline". Paradoxically, the military has both been an important force in Turkey's continuous Westernization but at the same time also represents an obstacle for Turkey's desire to join the EU. At the same time, the military enjoys a high degree of popular legitimacy, with continuous opinion polls suggesting that the military is the state institution that
3150-399: The most votes in the first ballot participate in this voting and the candidate who receives the majority of the valid votes is elected president. If one of the presidential candidates who gains the right to run for the second round is unable to participate in the election for any reason, the second round shall be conducted by substituting the vacant candidacy in conformity with the ranking in
3213-467: The past decades, via the National Security Council . The military has had a record of intervening in politics. Indeed, it assumed power for several periods in the latter half of the 20th century. It executed coups d'état in 1960 , in 1971 , and in 1980 . In 1997, it maneuvered the removal of an Islamic-oriented prime minister, Necmettin Erbakan . The military continued to effect politics throughout
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#17327730880583276-399: The peace take the case. This court has a single judge. It has jurisdiction over misdemeanors and petty crimes, with penalties ranging from small fines to brief prison sentences. Three-judge courts of first instance have jurisdiction over major civil suits and serious crimes. Any conviction in a criminal case can be taken to a court of Appeals for judicial review. The political system of Turkey
3339-420: The powers of the president until the president comes back. If the office of the presidency becomes vacant for any reason, the presidential election shall be held within forty-five days and in the meantime, the vice president shall act as and exercise the powers of the president until the next president is elected. If one year or less remains for the general election, the parliamentary election will be conducted at
3402-398: The presidency with full executive powers, effective upon the 2018 general election . The president is directly elected by eligible Turkish voters for a five-year term. The president of Turkey is referred to as Cumhurbaşkanı ("Republic leader"), and previously archaically as Cumhurreisi or Reis-i Cumhur , also meaning "head of the republic/people". Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
3465-665: The president by Erdoğan on the country's Republic Day , 29 October 2014. From 1923 to 2014, the Çankaya Mansion served as the residence of the presidents. The Presidential State Guesthouse [ tr ] serves as the president's official guest house and as a secondary residence for the president if needed. The Huber Mansion , the Florya Atatürk Marine Mansion and the Vahdettin Pavilion have been used as presidential workplace or as summer residence. The president's duties are stated in
3528-652: The president represents the Turkish government to its own people, and represents the nation to the rest of the world. Insulting the head of state is prohibited by Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code . Leaders of political parties are generally expected to run as a presidential candidate for their party. However, they can also decide not to run as a candidate and contribute to the process of nominating other individuals. From 1961 until 2017, Turkish presidents were required to sever all relations, if any, with their political party. This convention existed to ensure
3591-624: The president's impartiality in presiding over the Turkish constitutional system. However, the presidency's reorientation in 2017 into a chief executive office abolished this convention, given a president's assumption of office as winners of a partisan electoral contest. The presidents of Turkey are widely perceived as regional power due to the country's strategic importance, geopolitical influence, economic and military strength, cultural heritage, and historical ties. Their active engagement in regional diplomacy, mediation efforts, humanitarian assistance, and economic cooperation underscores Turkey's role as
3654-427: The president, advocate general, vice presidents, head of the divisions and members. The current president of the council is Zeki Yiğit. 39°55′30″N 32°51′13″E / 39.92500°N 32.85361°E / 39.92500; 32.85361 This Turkish politics -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Politics of Turkey The politics of Turkey take place in
3717-476: The receipt given by the party that the donation belong to the donor or the donor's authorized representative or attorney. Donations by political parties cannot be accepted without relying on such a document. Donations from domestic corporations with (partial) government ownership are also not allowed. According to article 74 of the Political Parties Law, the financial control of political parties
3780-517: The remaining quarter by the President of the Republic from among officials meeting the requirements designated by law. The President, Chief Public Prosecutor, deputy presidents, and heads of departments of the Council of State shall be elected by the General Assembly of the Council of State from among its own members for a term of four years by secret ballot and by an absolute majority of the total number of members. They may be re-elected at
3843-415: The same time. If more than a year remains, the newly elected president will continue to serve until the next general election. Before the constitutional amendments approved in the 2017 referendum , the speaker of the Grand National Assembly served as Acting President in cases where the presidency is temporarily or permanently vacant and exercises presidential powers until the president returns to duty or
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#17327730880583906-419: The two-term limit. The term of the incumbent president continues until the president-elect takes office. Before the constitutional amendment approved in the 2007 referendum , the president used to be elected for a single seven-year term. In the event that the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason and there is one year or less before the general election of the Turkish Grand National Assembly,
3969-519: The unchangeable characteristics of the Republic of Turkey. Their loyalty to this determination is absolute." The Turkish populace is not uniformly averse to coups; many welcome the ejection of governments they perceive as unconstitutional. Members of the military must also comply with the traditions of secularism, according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom report in 2008, members who performed prayers or had wives who wore
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