Legislation of Turkey

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The Constitution of Turkey grants sole legislative authority to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which is responsible for making, amending, and repealing laws. The Constitution of Turkey stands as the supreme legal framework of the republic, Legislative duties are exercised independently from the Judicial system of Turkey, maintaining the separation of powers within the state.

Contents

Historically, the head of government was the Prime Minister of Turkey, who led the executive branch alongside the President. However, following the 2017 Turkish constitutional referendum, Turkey transitioned from a semi-parliamentary system to a presidential system. This reform abolished the office of Prime Minister and transferred executive powers to the President of Turkey, who now serves as both the Head of State and the Head of Government.

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey remains the sole legislative body in the country. [1] While the Grand National Assembly of Turkey holds the sole and foremost power of legislation in Turkey, New laws and legislative decisions can be vetoed by the President of Turkey. [2]

Responsibilities of legislative bodies

The legislative bodies of Turkey and the bodies that uphold them have a set of responsibilities. The main responsibilities of the assembly are deciding on the annual budget, making decisions on laws and rules, and working with other bodies, like the executive branch. The Assembly is also supposed to be fair and work together with the opposition. [3]

The president is the head of the executive branch and can veto and redirect the Grand National Assembly of Turkey's verdicts. As the leader of their party, they can hold both legislative and executive powers at the same time. The president is expected to be independent, transparent and fair. [2] Formerly belonged to the Prime Minister of Turkey.

Legislation in Judiciary and Executive

Turkey's legislation adapts the rules of Secular values and Social Democracy when it comes to judicial and executive decisions. The Constitution of Turkey separates religion from powers and separates the state powers within bodies and institutions,the government, in theory, operates under democratic and constitutional principles. [4] [5]

Judiciary

The Judiciary of Turkey follows the Constitution of Turkey, and its job is to implement and oversee the legislative decisions after the Grand National Assembly of Turkey enacts them. The judicial system, in theory, functions independently and is responsible for reviewing laws, protecting constitutional rights. In principle, the judicial system functions independently from the legislative and executive branches. Institutions that uphold these judicial functions include:

Executive

The Executive of Turkey operates under the framework of the Constitution of Turkey and is responsible for enforcing laws passed by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The executive branch carries out state administration. It implements legislative decisions, coordinates public institutions, and manages both domestic governance and international relations. [6]

Legislative Terms

Turkey holds Legislative terms and Elections. [7]

ElectionsDateNumber of Members
1946 General Elections August 5, 1946 - March 24, 1950503
1950 General Elections May 22, 1950 - March 12, 1954492
1954 General Elections May 14, 1954 - September 11, 1957537
1957 General Elections November 1, 1957 - May 25, 1960602
1960 Turkish coup d'état Turkish Armed Forces 30
Constituent Assembly
(National Unity Committee - Representatives Assembly)		January 6, 1961 - October 25, 1961
1961 General Elections October 25, 1961 - October 10, 1965450
1965 General Elections October 22, 1965 - October 12, 1969450
1969 General Elections October 22, 1969 - October 14, 1973450
1973 General Elections October 24, 1973 - June 5, 1977450
1977 General Elections June 13, 1977 - September 12, 1980450
1980 Turkish coup d'état National Security Council (Turkey, 1980) September 12, 1980 - December 6, 1983
Constituent Assembly
(National Security Council)		October 23, 1981 - December 6, 1983
1983 General Elections November 24, 1983 - October 16, 1987400
1987 General Elections December 14, 1987 - September 1, 1991450
1991 General Elections November 14, 1991 - December 4, 1995450
1995 General Elections January 8, 1996 - March 25, 1999550
1999 General Elections May 2, 1999 - October 1, 2002550
2002 General Elections November 14, 2002 - June 3, 2007550
2007 General Elections July 23, 2007 - April 23, 2011550
2011 General Elections June 28, 2011 - April 23, 2015550
June 2015 General Elections June 23, 2015 - October 1, 2015550
November 2015 General Elections November 17, 2015 - May 16, 2018550
2018 General Elections July 7, 2018 - April 7, 2023600
2023 General Elections June 2, 2023 - Present600

*Since 1961, the numbering has started from 1 (e.g., the 12th term is now referred to as the 1st term, the 13th term as the 2nd term, etc.), and after 1983, the numbering reverted back to the original sequence from the founding of the Assembly (1920).

From October 15, 1961 to September 12, 1980, the Parliament operated as a bicameral body consisting of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT) and the Republic Senate.

Republic Senate
GroupElectionDate
Group A 1961 Senate Elections October 15, 1961 - June 2, 1968
1968 Senate Elections June 2, 1968 - June 5, 1977
1977 Senate Elections June 5, 1977 - September 12, 1980
Group B1961 Senate ElectionsOctober 15, 1961 - June 2, 1966
1966 Senate Elections June 5, 1966 - October 12, 1975
1975 Senate Elections October 12, 1975 - September 12, 1980
Group C 1961 Senate Elections October 15, 1961 - June 7, 1964
1964 Senate Elections June 7, 1964 - October 14, 1973
1973 Senate Elections October 14, 1973 - October 14, 1979
1979 Senate Elections October 14, 1979 - September 12, 1980

See also

References

  1. ↑ "TBMM Kütüphanesi Açık Erişim Sistemi".
  2. 1 2 "T.C.CUMHURBAŞKANLIĞI : Görev ve Yetkiler".
  3. ↑ "Türki̇ye Büyük Mi̇llet Mecli̇si̇".
  4. ↑ https://www.barobirlik.org.tr/Haberler/laiklik-ilkesinin-anayasamizda-yer-almasinin-83-yil-donumu-tubakkom-basin-aciklamasi-81108
  5. ↑ https://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/constitution-turkey-turkish.html
  6. ↑ https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=2709&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5
  7. ↑ https://www5.tbmm.gov.tr/develop/owa/tbmm_basin_aciklamalari_sd.aciklama?p1=2588#:~:text=Cumhuriyetimizin%20temelleri,%2023%20Nisan%201920,%22%20dedi%C4%9Fi,%20bir%20y%C3%BCce%20kurumdur.
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