Politics
Türkiye prepares for comprehensive local governance reforms
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) seeks to improve the work and transparency of local administrations.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s remarks at the inauguration of the new session of Parliament earlier this month signaled the start of a sweeping reform of local administrations. “We will further reinforce transparency, accountability and efficiency in the public sector by implementing steps that will strengthen fiscal discipline in local administrations,” Erdoğan emphasized.
The AK Party is working on new legislation aimed at tightening the financial structures of municipalities, clarifying service priorities and strengthening oversight mechanisms, Sabah newspaper reported on Monday.
According to the draft proposal, some powers of metropolitan, provincial and district mayors may be limited. Municipal spending will be subject to stricter audits and municipalities will be required to generate their own revenue. The proposal also calls for municipalities to focus on essential services and establish a “service hierarchy” to ensure more effective use of public funds.
In cases where basic services are disrupted, the central government will intervene. The reform aims to raise standards and increase regular inspections, particularly in water supply, transportation and waste management. Municipalities that fail to fulfill their responsibilities will face penalties and the transfer of certain powers is under consideration.
Municipalities that violate zoning regulations will face severe sanctions. In addition to audits by the Court of Accounts, the Civil Administration Inspection Board and the Ministry of Interior, a new “Audit Commission” will be established to evaluate the effectiveness of municipal spending.
The draft also includes provisions for tailored budget strategies in tourism regions that see population spikes in the summer. This measure is designed to enable more effective service planning based on seasonal demand.
In the past year, municipalities run by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) faced increased scrutiny, investigations and criticism for a string of shortcomings and alleged corruption by mayors and top municipal bureaucrats.
Mountains of uncollected garbage on the streets and days of water shortages are among a few of the growing issues, while several mayors are facing accusations of taking bribes.
From Izmir in the west to the capital Ankara, public services have taken a blow in recent months at municipalities, something blamed on mismanagement by critics of the CHP.
In Izmir, Türkiye’s third-largest city and a stronghold of the CHP, negligence on the improvement of infrastructure and piles of garbage uncollected on streets due to strikes by underpaid workers have added to the woes of residents already complaining of stench from the polluted sea. Most recently, Izmir was hit by lengthy water shortages amid soaring temperatures in August, blamed on mismanagement of the water authority, coupled with declining water levels in dams. Locals quoted by the Sabah newspaper also complained of the heavy stench from sewage and floods after almost every precipitation, putting the blame on the municipality’s insufficient infrastructure investments.
The capital, Ankara, made headlines last month when burst water pipes led to a mass water shortage, especially in the Mamak district. Water supplies were only fully restored this week, while sights of locals lining up around water trucks added to the dismal record of CHP Mayor Mansur Yavaş. Yavaş is already embattled with legal woes due to alleged excessive spending of municipal funds on concerts instead of improving infrastructure.
Water shortages also hit Edirne in the past two days, while Mayor Filiz Gencan acknowledged that water pipes in the northwestern city are old and occasionally suffer from bursting and subsequent water shortages.
Bursa, Türkiye’s fourth largest city, faces future water shortages, while critics of the municipality say the problem can be solved by a water treatment facility, yet to be constructed by the municipality.
In Adana, the lack of maintenance on several roads has forced citizens to cover them with carpets to counter uneven surfaces, while the Bilecik mayor from the CHP found a solution to curb the repulsive stench from sewage by covering manholes with nylon coverings.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan earlier this month hit out at the CHP’s lack of public services at municipalities. Addressing an AK Party event, Erdoğan said the CHP should apologize for the municipalities’ failure.
“(CHP Chairperson Özgür Özel) recently invited headmasters of schools to apply to their municipalities for free water services. Elsewhere, you see people in the capital suffering from water shortages. The CHP is not ashamed, though,” Erdoğan said.
“You should collect garbage and supply water to the people first. You should get rid of the mountains of garbage. You should get rid of the corruption stain,” the president said.
More than a dozen mayors from the CHP and hundreds of municipal officials have been arrested in recent months for alleged corruption, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu.
“You should have an ounce of conscience. They squandered resources in the past five years without building on the legacy of services in the past 25 years,” Erdoğan said, referring to municipalities run by the AK Party for more than two decades, including Istanbul.
“Our cities went back to the old days. People are suffering in traffic jams. Instead of an apology, the CHP smears us. You have to respect the people who have to wait for hours with water cans in hand. You have no respect for people trying to cross through mountains of garbage while commuting,” Erdoğan said.
Civil society groups supporting Palestinians will hold simultaneous events in more than 17 countries on Wednesday to call for greater humanitarian access to Gaza as the world marks World Humanitarian Day.
The global initiative, called the “Voice of Humanity,” will take place across five continents on Aug. 19, according to Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, head of the Palestine Support Platform, one of the organizations participating in the campaign.
Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul, Kabaktepe called on the public to support the initiative, saying access to food, medicine, shelter and healthcare should be regarded as a fundamental right rather than a concession.
“We are talking about a right, not a favor,” Kabaktepe noted, arguing that restrictions on humanitarian assistance have left civilians in Gaza struggling to obtain essential supplies.
Kabaktepe said tens of thousands of civilians have been killed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and that children, women, patients and other vulnerable people continue to face difficulties accessing food and medical supplies.
He also accused Israel of failing to comply with provisions on humanitarian assistance under a cease-fire agreement, saying the arrangement envisaged the entry of at least 600 aid trucks into Gaza each day.
Kabaktepe called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor and urged international organizations and institutions to work to ensure the delivery of aid into the Palestinian enclave.
As part of Wednesday’s campaign, supporters in Istanbul are expected to gather at Üsküdar Square at 6:30 p.m. local time.
Organizers will call for humanitarian assistance to be kept separate from political negotiations and for restrictions on aid deliveries to Gaza to be lifted.
“Humanitarian aid cannot be a matter of negotiation,” Kabaktepe underlined.
He urged international organizations and governments to increase efforts to secure humanitarian access to Gaza.
World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on Aug. 19 to recognize humanitarian workers and people affected by crises around the world.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and preserve the cease-fire in a phone call Monday, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
The two ministers reviewed the latest developments in ongoing negotiations concerning the reopening of the strategic waterway and the continuation of the cease-fire, according to the sources.
The two top diplomats spoke amid ongoing tensions in the region, with suspected Iranian drones targeting Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s office in Irbil on Monday.
Meanwhile, Fidan also held separate phone calls with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday, Foreign Ministry sources said. The talks focused on the latest developments in the region, the sources added.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham during a phone call Monday, as the two leaders pledged to deepen the strategic partnership between Türkiye and the United Kingdom, particularly in defense, security, trade and investment.
Erdoğan and Burnham discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, according to a statement on the call.
Erdoğan congratulated Burnham on assuming his new post and expressed confidence that relations between Ankara and London would reach new heights in the coming period.
The president highlighted the significant progress Türkiye and the U.K. have made in cooperation across a broad range of areas, particularly in the defense industry.
He also underscored the importance of the Strategic Partnership Framework Document and the Security and Defense Partnership Document signed by the two countries, describing them as key instruments for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Erdoğan said Ankara and London would continue working together to increase bilateral trade volume and achieve their shared objectives in investment, while building on the growing strategic partnership between the two NATO allies.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed Türkiye-U.S. ties and pressing regional and global developments in a phone call, with the Turkish leader stressing the need to maximize diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Erdoğan told Trump that Türkiye hoped negotiations between Iran and the United States would continue, emphasizing that Ankara would maintain its support for efforts aimed at securing peace, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Directorate.
The president also highlighted the joint defense agreement signed by Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, saying the pact demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring regional stability and security.
Turning to Gaza, Erdoğan warned that Israeli actions targeting Palestinians had intensified at a time when efforts were focused on advancing to the second phase of the Gaza peace process.
He reiterated that Türkiye would continue supporting steps toward lasting peace in the region as well as efforts to rebuild the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
Since the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, constitutional design has served as the backbone of the country’s legal system. The current Constitution, adopted in 1982, has been repeatedly amended over the decades – most notably in 2017, when a national referendum paved the way for the country’s transition from a parliamentary model to an executive presidential system.
Navigating the 175-article charter can be complex for international observers. Here is a clear guide to the foundational provisions, historical turning points and ongoing reform efforts shaping Türkiye’s legal framework today.
The Irrevocable Principles (Articles 1–4)
The opening section of the Constitution defines the permanent identity of the state. Under Article 4, the first three articles cannot be amended, nor can an amendment to them be proposed.
Article 1: Defines Türkiye as a republic.
Article 2: Establishes the country as a democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law, respecting human rights and loyal to Atatürk nationalism.
Article 3: Affirms the indivisible integrity of the state with its territory and nation. It designates Turkish as the official language, Ankara as the capital, and establishes the national flag and anthem.
Article 4: Protects the provisions of Articles 1, 2 and 3 from amendment and prohibits proposals to amend them.
State Sovereignty and Separation of Powers (Articles 6–9)
The Constitution establishes how state authority is exercised and divided among the branches of government.
Article 6: Declares that sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation and may be exercised only through the authorized organs established by the Constitution.
Article 7: Vests legislative power in the Turkish Parliament (TBMM), which exercises this authority on behalf of the nation.
Article 8: Assigns executive power and responsibility to the president, who exercises it in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Article 9: States that judicial power is exercised by independent and impartial courts on behalf of the Turkish nation.
Supremacy of the Constitution (Article 11)
Article 11 establishes the Constitution as the highest binding legal authority in Türkiye.
Article 11: States that the provisions of the Constitution are fundamental legal rules binding upon the legislative, executive and judicial organs, administrative authorities, and other institutions and individuals. Laws cannot be contrary to the Constitution.
Fundamental Rights and Protections (Articles 10, 12 & 13)
The Constitution establishes the principle of equality before the law and defines both the nature of fundamental rights and the conditions under which they may be restricted.
Article 10: Guarantees equality before the law without discrimination, including on grounds of language, race, color, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion or sect. It also requires the state to ensure that equality between men and women exists in practice.
Articles 12 & 13: Establish that everyone possesses inherent, inviolable and inalienable fundamental rights and freedoms, while recognizing that these rights also carry duties and responsibilities toward society, family and others. Article 13 provides that fundamental rights and freedoms may be restricted only by law, without infringing upon their essence and only on grounds specified in the relevant constitutional provisions. Any restriction must comply with the Constitution, the requirements of a democratic society and the secular republic, as well as the principle of proportionality.
Citizenship and International Law (Articles 66 & 90)
Two provisions frequently cited in legal and political debates concern citizenship and Türkiye’s international obligations.
Article 66: Defines Turkish citizenship, stating that everyone bound to the Turkish state through the bond of citizenship is a Turk.
Article 90: Provides that international agreements duly put into effect have the force of law. In cases of conflict between domestic legislation and international agreements concerning fundamental rights and freedoms, the provisions of the international agreement prevail.
The Executive Branch (Articles 101, 104 & 116)
Following the 2017 constitutional amendments, executive authority was vested in the presidency and the office of prime minister was abolished.
Article 101: Specifies that the president is directly elected for a five-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms. Presidential candidates may be nominated by political party groups, political parties that individually or jointly received at least 5% of valid votes in the previous parliamentary election, or at least 100,000 eligible voters.
Article 104: Outlines presidential duties and powers. As head of state, the president exercises executive authority, appoints vice presidents and ministers, may issue presidential decrees within constitutional limits, ratifies and promulgates international treaties, determines national security policies and takes necessary measures to safeguard national security. The president also ensures the implementation of the Constitution and the regular and harmonious functioning of state organs.
Article 116: Addresses the renewal of presidential and parliamentary elections. Parliament may decide to renew elections with a three-fifths majority of its total membership, while the president may also decide to renew elections. In either case, presidential and parliamentary elections are held together. If Parliament decides to renew elections during a president’s second term, the incumbent may run for president once more.
Parliament and Legislation (Articles 75, 77, 87 & 98)
Legislative authority rests with the unicameral Turkish Parliament.
Article 75: Sets parliamentary composition at 600 members.
Article 77: Provides that parliamentary and presidential elections are held every five years on the same day.
Article 87: Entrusts Parliament with enacting, amending and repealing laws, debating and adopting budget and final account bills, approving the ratification of international treaties, and deciding on declarations of war in cases permitted under international law, among other constitutional powers.
Article 98: Details parliamentary oversight mechanisms, including parliamentary inquiries, general debates, parliamentary investigations and written questions. Written questions may be submitted by lawmakers to vice presidents and ministers.
The Judiciary (Articles 138, 146 & 148)
Judicial authority is exercised by independent and impartial courts on behalf of the Turkish nation.
Article 138: Establishes judicial independence. Judges rule according to the Constitution, laws and their conscientious convictions, and no state organ, authority or individual may issue orders, instructions, recommendations or suggestions to courts or judges concerning the exercise of judicial power.
Articles 146 & 148: Govern the Constitutional Court. The court consists of 15 members, with three elected by Parliament and 12 selected by the president through procedures established by the Constitution. The court reviews the constitutionality of laws and presidential decrees and performs other duties assigned by the Constitution. Individuals may also apply directly to the court over alleged violations by public authorities of fundamental rights and freedoms protected by the Constitution and falling within the scope of the European Convention on Human Rights after ordinary legal remedies have been exhausted.
Military interventions and constitutional interruptions
Türkiye’s constitutional history has been directly altered by political crises and military interventions, resulting in new charters or significant changes to the country’s constitutional order.
The 1960 Coup and the 1961 Charter
On May 27, 1960, the military overthrew the elected Democrat Party government led by Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, suspended the 1924 Constitution and dissolved Parliament. A military administration ruled until a Constituent Assembly drafted the 1961 Constitution. Approved by referendum, the new charter introduced a bicameral Parliament and established the Constitutional Court. Menderes, who served as prime minister from 1950 until the coup, was executed in September 1961 following a trial by a military-appointed court.
The 1971 Memorandum
On March 12, 1971, military commanders issued a memorandum that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel. While the 1961 Constitution remained in force, subsequent constitutional amendments curtailed some civil liberties and strengthened state authority during a period marked by political violence and martial law.
The 1980 Coup and the 1982 Charter
The most extensive constitutional disruption occurred on Sept. 12, 1980, when the military seized power, dissolved Parliament and suspended the existing constitutional order. Political parties were subsequently banned, and an appointed Consultative Assembly took part in drafting a new constitution.
The 1982 Constitution was approved in a national referendum and remains Türkiye’s current charter, although it has undergone numerous amendments under civilian governments over the following decades.
2017 Constitutional Reform
A major overhaul of Türkiye’s system of government came with the 2017 constitutional referendum, which approved the transition from the parliamentary system to the presidential system.
The amendments abolished the office of prime minister, vested executive authority in the president, revised parliamentary oversight mechanisms and reshaped the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. The new system took full effect following the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2018.
Central and Local Administration (Article 127)
Türkiye’s administrative system distinguishes between the central government’s provincial organization and elected local administrations.
Governors (vali) at the provincial level and district governors (kaymakam) represent the central administration in the provinces and districts, respectively.
Article 127, meanwhile, governs local administrations, defining them as public entities established to meet the common local needs of residents in provinces, municipalities and villages, with decision-making bodies elected by voters.
Mayors and municipal councils are elected by voters, while Türkiye’s metropolitan municipality system divides certain responsibilities between metropolitan municipalities and district municipalities.
Article 127 also grants the central administration powers of administrative tutelage (idari vesayet) over local governments within the principles and procedures prescribed by law. This oversight is intended to ensure that local services are carried out in accordance with the principle of administrative integrity, secure uniform public service, safeguard the public interest and meet local needs appropriately.
Push for New Civilian Constitution
Despite numerous amendments over the decades, replacing the 1982 Constitution with a new civilian-drafted charter remains a prominent issue in Türkiye’s political debate.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş have repeatedly advocated for a new civilian constitution, arguing that the existing charter retains the legacy of the military rule under which it was drafted despite extensive subsequent amendments.
Kurtulmuş said in August 2026 that Türkiye’s political climate and level of dialogue had matured sufficiently for work toward a new civilian constitution, describing such a charter as a longstanding objective.
Any constitutional amendment must follow the procedure established by Article 175. A proposal must first be submitted in writing by at least one-third of Parliament’s total membership, or 200 lawmakers, and must be debated twice in the General Assembly.
Approval requires at least a three-fifths majority, or 360 of Parliament’s 600 members, in a secret ballot.
A constitutional amendment adopted with between 360 and 399 votes must be submitted to a referendum if the president does not return it to Parliament for reconsideration.
An amendment receiving at least a two-thirds majority, or 400 votes, may take effect without a referendum after the constitutional process is completed, although the president retains the authority to submit such an amendment to a referendum.
With constitutional change requiring broad parliamentary support, efforts to draft an entirely new charter depend heavily on negotiations and political consensus across party lines.
Türkiye has introduced new legal measures aimed at strengthening child protection and preventive mechanisms, Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş said Tuesday after legislation amending the Child Protection Law and several other laws entered into force.
The legislation took effect following its publication in the Official Gazette.
Göktaş said in a statement on social media that the new law marked another critical step toward ensuring children’s safety and healthy development.
She stated that Türkiye considers protecting children from all forms of risk and safeguarding their best interests under all circumstances a national responsibility under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“With this awareness, we are implementing multifaceted legal regulations that support our protective and preventive mechanisms,” Göktaş said.
“We will continue our efforts to protect our children and strengthen the institution of the family,” she added.
Göktaş also expressed hope that the new measures would benefit Türkiye and its people.
The minister previously highlighted implementation results under Türkiye’s 2023-2028 Child Rights Strategy Document and Action Plan.
She said authorities had achieved a 74% implementation rate in measures promoting child rights and participation, making children more visible in decision-making processes. Progress reached 82% in child-friendly justice initiatives, 75% in family and child-focused services, 92% in alternative care services, 67% in services for children affected by disasters and crises, and 80% in programs promoting safe internet use.
Describing the government’s “Family and Population Decade” initiative as an opportunity to strengthen family bonds, she noted the coming years would focus on preparing children for the future through comprehensive family-centered policies while continuing to invest in the country’s human capital.
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