Politics
Türkiye steps up global role with mediation, climate push, aid efforts
Over the past decades, Türkiye has expanded its public diplomacy efforts beyond traditional communication, positioning a wide range of institutions and nonstate actors as key tools in shaping its international image.
Institutions such as the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE), the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), the Turkish Maarif Foundation, the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) and Anadolu Agency (AA) are cited as leading contributors to Türkiye’s public diplomacy architecture.
AA operates in 144 countries and publishes in 13 languages, making it one of the world’s largest international news agencies. TRT, meanwhile, conducts multilingual broadcasting tailored to regional audiences through channels such as TRT World, TRT Arabi, TRT Türk and TRT Avaz, officials say. TRT has also expanded its cultural outreach through its digital streaming platform “tabii,” which distributes Turkish television series globally.
Speaking on Jan. 20, 2026, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said public diplomacy has become increasingly critical in an era where communication is used as a strategic weapon. In a social media post, Duran said Türkiye was building secure and effective communication ecosystems under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while actively combating disinformation.
Another cornerstone of Türkiye’s public diplomacy is the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), held annually since 2021. The fourth forum took place in April 2025 under the theme “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World,” highlighting concerns over global polarization, inequality, violence against civilians and declining trust in international institutions.
The next edition, scheduled for April 17-19, 2026, will focus on “Designing the Future: Managing Uncertainty,” continuing Türkiye’s efforts to position itself as a hub for global diplomatic engagement.
Public diplomacy initially emerged as a government-driven communication process, but advances in digital technology and global media have diversified its actors. Universities, opinion leaders, media organizations, international institutions, private companies and individual citizens are now considered central to public diplomacy.
Humanitarian diplomacy
Türkiye has intensified its use of humanitarian diplomacy to position itself as a global peace broker, delivering not only humanitarian and development assistance but also acting on moral and ethical principles across the world during crises.
Erdoğan has framed the country’s foreign policy around global justice and reform of the international system, often using the slogan “The world is bigger than five,” underlining that humanitarian diplomacy forms a core element of this vision.
During the Syrian civil war, Ankara became the world’s largest host of refugees, sheltering millions of Syrians and still continues to extend humanitarian and mediation efforts across regions, including Gaza, Somalia, Sudan and Libya, presenting itself as a global advocate for civilians affected by war and crisis.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has launched two development projects in Mozambique and Djibouti aimed at supporting vulnerable groups, strengthening local production capacity and promoting sustainable economic growth. It aims to support women who are victims of physical and sexual violence and reintegrate them into social and economic life.
As part of the initiative, a production kitchen has been established to contribute to the women’s rehabilitation process while enabling them to generate a regular income.
In a separate project in Djibouti, TIKA supports the development of the fisheries sector by providing infrastructure and equipment for fishing boat production and establishing a dedicated boat manufacturing workshop. The agency supplies equipment and materials.
TIKA also completed the construction of a flood-resilient settlement for vulnerable river island communities in northern Bangladesh, delivering a long-term solution to recurring displacement caused by flooding and riverbank erosion along the Brahmaputra River.
The agency opened a newly constructed school building in northern Afghanistan as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen education, employment and local production through development projects. In December, the 24th “Kindness Train,” carrying 1,300 tons of emergency relief supplies for earthquake survivors, including 28,000 food parcels, 560 tons of food supplies, 550 tons of flour and 14,000 blankets, was sent.
Türkiye’s rail-based humanitarian deliveries to Afghanistan over the past three years have reached a cumulative 11,768 tons.
On the other hand, Türkiye has always called for an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Sudan, reiterating its continuous support to the countries and people suffering there.
Following the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) dispatching its 19th “Goodness Ship,” carrying nearly 1,300 tons of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip from the southern Mersin Port in December, most recently, the 20th “Goodness Ship” arrived in Egypt’s al-Arish port on Sunday, carrying 1,400 tons of humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.
The ship carried food, blankets, tents, winter clothes and hygiene kits among other aid materials, for Palestinians who struggle to survive in the harsh winter in the Palestinian enclave, almost razed to the ground by Israel’s genocidal attacks since 2023.
The 6th humanitarian “Goodness Ship” was also sent to Sudan, delivering 2,600 tons of aid as part of ongoing efforts to support civilians affected by the country’s ongoing civil war.
Last week, TIKA and UNICEF signed a cooperation protocol on Thursday aimed at improving the living conditions of children and young people in Cameroon.
Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Türkiye also provided aid all across the globe to 131 countries affected by the pandemic including Germany, China, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, Norway, Nigeria, Mexico and Somalia, in coordination with the Health Ministry, the National Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, TIKA, Kızılay and nongovernmental groups (NGOs), in-kind aid.
The assistance included donations of medical supplies and equipment such as protective gear, diagnostic kits, medicines and ventilators.
Mediation and peace diplomacy
Over the past few years, issues regarding securing justice and representation within the current international system have become unsustainable. Erdoğan’s “The world is bigger than five” approach represented not only a political stance but also a humanitarian and ethical call for reform.
Türkiye has been a staunch critic of Israel, with which it was about to normalize relations before the new round of the Palestine-Israel conflict began in 2023. The Gaza conflict remained a central theme in several meetings.
Before and after the cease-fire plan, which took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, Türkiye played a key role in ending the devastating suffering in Gaza and bringing peace and stability to the Middle East. Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalın and other Turkish political figures urged to make constructive steps to revive Gaza and end the Israeli aggression since the beginning of the conflict.
Recently, U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack commented at the Jerusalem Post’s Washington conference on Türkiye’s military capacity and the channels of dialogue with the Palestinian group Hamas, noting that Türkiye should be included in an international stabilization force for Gaza.
A U.S official said earlier in January that Türkiye has played a very integral role in reaching the cease-fire in Gaza, while U.S President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip transitions into the second phase.
Türkiye has also been a central diplomatic figure between Kyiv and Moscow since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
On March 10, 2022, just days after matters escalated, Ankara successfully hosted the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine at the ADF, marking the highest-level meeting since the war’s outbreak.
Furthering its mediation efforts, Türkiye facilitated another crucial gathering of Russian and Ukrainian negotiation teams in Istanbul from March 28 to 30, 2022.
Ankara’s most notable diplomatic triumph was brokering the Black Sea Grain Initiative alongside the U.N. on July 22, 2022. This agreement, aimed at alleviating global food security threats triggered by the war, garnered widespread international acclaim and resulted in establishing a Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul.
Erdoğan has maintained open communication channels with Moscow and Kyiv. With his landmark visit to Lviv on Aug. 18, 2022, Erdoğan became the only NATO leader to have visited both nations since hostilities erupted, reflecting Türkiye’s unique position.
Furthermore, Türkiye successfully facilitated a significant prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on Sept. 22, 2022.
Türkiye significantly influenced the decadeslong Azerbaijan-Armenia dispute over Karabakh. In September 2023, Azerbaijan successfully regained control of Karabakh through a swift 44-day military campaign triggered by Armenian provocations and attacks.
Türkiye played a critical supporting role throughout the conflict, offering extensive defense industry cooperation, technology transfers, and strategic diplomatic support that contributed significantly to Azerbaijan’s military success and subsequent peace efforts.
Türkiye with its strong commitment to preventive diplomacy and mediation, worked to resolve conflicts peacefully across a wide range of geography including reconciliation in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Kyrgyzstan, the establishment of the trilateral cooperation mechanism with Afghanistan and Pakistan and the launch of the “Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process” based on the principle of regional ownership, the establishment of trilateral consultation mechanisms between Bosnia-Herzegovina-Croatia-Türkiye and Bosnia-Herzegovina-Serbia-Türkiye, and the Ankara Declaration between Ethiopia and Somalia, as the Foreign Ministry stated.
Climate diplomacy
Türkiye’s climate policies, emissions-reduction targets, and green transition programs serve as a global example.
Türkiye secured the hosting and presidency of COP31, with Australia to lead negotiations at the summit, in a win-win solution following negotiations of the impasse between the two countries led by Environment, Urban Planning and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP30 conference, held last year in Brazil.
“More than 80,000 people from 196 countries will be here, and we will show them Türkiye’s power to hold such summits and our hospitality,” Kurum said to reporters during the Antalya EXPO Fairgrounds earlier in January.
The 31st Conference of the Parties is scheduled to take place on Nov. 9-20, 2026, primarily in Antalya, with a leaders’ summit in Istanbul.
The Zero Waste Project, one of Türkiye’s most prominent international initiatives in recent years, is positioned as a cornerstone of the COP31 process. The initiative promotes a comprehensive approach focused on resource efficiency, circular economy principles, waste reduction and sustainable production and consumption models.
As part of COP31 preparations, the Zero Waste Foundation is implementing a comprehensive process to define the conference’s sustainability standards. The “Sustainable COP31 Framework” developed by the foundation aims to reduce the event’s carbon footprint, optimize resource use and make environmental performance measurable for all stakeholders.
Designed in line with U.N. sustainable event standards, the framework includes zero waste management protocols, carbon reduction and offset strategies, sustainable logistics and transportation planning, environmental performance criteria for event venues, and stakeholder engagement and transparency mechanisms. The goal is to make COP31 a global model for sustainable mega-events.
The zero waste vision was launched under the leadership of first lady Emine Erdoğan, founder of the Zero Waste Project and honorary president of the Zero Waste Foundation.
Moreover, recently, the High Seas Treaty, considered a landmark global agreement to protect marine biodiversity in international waters, entered into force on Jan. 17, after receiving the required 60 ratifications, marking a major milestone in ocean conservation.
The agreement, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), was adopted by the U.N. in 2023. It establishes a legal framework for creating protected areas on the high seas and requires environmental impact assessments for activities that could harm fragile marine ecosystems.
Cultural diplomacy
Using television series, cuisine and heritage sites, Türkiye has increased cultural outreach across the world to strengthen its global image and tourism appeal.
Gastrodiplomacy, as a soft-power strategy, uses national cuisine to connect with foreign publics, creating lasting cultural ties and serving as a strategic tool to support economic relations.
Recently, the traditional Turkish dessert “Antakya Künefe,” which earned the No. 1 spot on the World’s 100 Best Desserts list by TasteAtlas, stands out for being prepared with a cheese that is protected by a geographical indication.
Following the recent registration of Hatay’s “kaytaz böreği” and Gaziantep baklava, Türkiye’s EU-recognized GI count reached 40. Authorities aim to raise that figure to 45 by the end of this year and 60 next year.
Over the past two decades, Turkish series have built a strong audience base across a vast geography stretching from the Middle East to the Balkans, and from Latin America to South Asia.
One of the earliest and most symbolic examples of this shift was the hit television series “Magnificent Century,” which depicted life inside the Ottoman palace and sparked widespread curiosity across the world. With “Resurrection: Ertuğrul,” an epic drama that emphasized themes of justice, loyalty and sacrifice, the series gained a strong following from Pakistan to Indonesia and across Central Asia and the Gulf, particularly resonating in Muslim-majority societies.
Television productions have also reshaped domestic tourism. Series such as “Uzak Şehir” “Hercai” and “Sıla” transformed the southeastern city of Mardin into popular destinations, with filming locations becoming symbolic stops for visitors.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said last month that Türkiye ranks first globally in annual television episode production and is among the world’s top three TV exporters. He noted that the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency operates in nearly 200 countries, with the GoTürkiye platform reaching more than 21 million followers worldwide.
On the other hand, cultural diplomacy has extended beyond television and cuisine. Göbeklitepe, the 12,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site often described as the “zero point of history,” has inspired contemporary artists abroad and drawn renewed attention following recent archaeological discoveries, including a rare human statue believed to have been placed as a votive offering.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate phone calls Tuesday with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, diplomatic sources said.
Fidan and his Qatari counterpart discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the sources.
In a separate call with al-Shaibani, Fidan discussed the latest developments in the region.
The calls came amid heightened attention on regional developments and the situation surrounding the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Fidan met with his Qatari counterpart, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on July 19, a few days after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to the country to extend condolences for the late emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Türkiye and Qatar have steadily deepened their strategic partnership since establishing it in 2014 through high-level exchanges and bilateral agreements spanning a wide range of fields.
On the other hand, Fidan hosted his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, in Ankara on July 6 as the two neighboring countries continue to deepen relations following the collapse of the Baathist regime in 2024.
Regarding the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, Syria’s top diplomat stressed that the fighting in the region should come to an end as soon as possible. He noted that the regional tensions were also affecting Syria and said Damascus condemned Iran’s attacks against the Gulf countries.
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.
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