View source for Politics of Turkey

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox political system
| name                          = Politics of Republic of Turkey
| native_name                   = Türkiye'de siyaset
| image                         = Emblem of Turkey.svg
| image_size                    = 150
| caption                       = [[National emblem of Turkey]]
| type                          = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[Constitutionalism|constitutional]] [[republic]]
| constitution                  = [[Constitution of Turkey]]
| legislature                   = [[Legislation of Turkey]] or [[Grand National Assembly of Turkey|Grand National Assembly]]
| legislature_type              = [[Unicameralism|Unicameral]]
| legislature_place             = [[:tr:III. TBMM Binası|Parliament Building]]
| legislature_speaker           = [[Numan Kurtulmuş]]
| legislature_speaker_title     = [[Speaker of the Grand National Assembly]]
| upperhouse                    =
| upperhouse_speaker            =
| upperhouse_speaker_title      =
| upperhouse_appointer          =
| lowerhouse                    =
| lowerhouse_speaker            =
| lowerhouse_speaker_title      =
| lowerhouse_appointer          =
| title_hos                     =
| current_hos                   =
| appointer_hos                 =
| title_hog                     =
| current_hog                   =
| appointer_hog                 =
| title_hosag                   = [[President of Turkey|President]] ([[Turkish language|Turkish]]: Cumhurbaşkanı)
| current_hosag                 = [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]]
| appointer_hosag               = [[Turkish presidential elections|Direct popular vote]]
| cabinet                       = [[Cabinet of Turkey|Presidential Cabinet]]
| current_cabinet               = [[Cabinet Erdoğan V]]
| cabinet_leader                = President
| cabinet_deputyleader          = [[Vice President of Turkey|Vice President]]
| cabinet_appointer             = President
| cabinet_hq                    = [[Presidential Complex (Turkey)|Presidential Complex]]
| cabinet_ministries            = [[Ministries of Turkey|17]]
| judiciary                     = [[Judicial system of Turkey|Judicial system]]
| judiciary_head                = 
| courts                        =
| court1                        = [[Constitutional Court of Turkey|Constitutional Court]]
| chief_judge1                  = [[Kadir Özkaya]]
| court_seat1                   = 
| court2                        = [[Council of State (Turkey)|Council of State]]
| chief_judge2                  = [[:tr:Zeki Yiğit|Zeki Yiğit]]
| court_seat2                   =
| court3                        = [[Court of Cassation (Turkey)|Court of Cassation]]
| chief_judge3                  = [[Ömer Kerkez]]
| court_seat3                   =
| court4                        = [[Court of Jurisdictional Disputes]]
| chief_judge4                  = [[Rıdvan Güleç]]
| court_seat4                   =
}}
{{Politics of Turkey}}
The '''politics of Turkey''' take place in 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 (government)|Executive]] power is exercised by the [[Cabinet of Turkey|Council of Ministers]], which is appointed and headed by the President, who serves as country's [[head of state]] and [[head of government]].  [[Legislature|Legislative]] power is vested in the [[Grand National Assembly of Turkey|Grand National Assembly]]. The [[Judicial system of Turkey|judiciary]] is [[Judicial independence|independent]] of the executive and the legislature. Its current [[constitution of Turkey|constitution]] was adopted on 7 November 1982 after a [[1982 Turkish constitutional referendum|constitutional referendum]].

Major [[Turkish Constitutional Reform (2017)|constitutional revisions]] were passed by the National Assembly on 21 January 2017 and approved by [[2017 Turkish constitutional referendum|referendum]] on 16 April 2017. The reforms, among other measures, abolished the position of [[Prime Minister of Turkey|Prime Minister]] and designated the President as both head of state and government, effectively transforming Turkey from a [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[regime]] into a presidential one.

Suffrage is [[Universal suffrage|universal]] for citizens 18 years of age and older.

== National government ==
{{Main|Government of Turkey|Judicial system of Turkey}}
[[Turkey]] is a [[presidential system|presidential]] [[representative democracy]] and a [[Constitution of Turkey|constitutional]] [[republic]] within a [[Diversity (politics)|pluriform]] [[Multi-party period of the Republic of Turkey|multi-party system]], in which the [[President of Turkey|president]] (the [[head of state]] and [[head of government]]), [[Grand National Assembly of Turkey|parliament]], and [[Judicial system of Turkey|judiciary]] share [[Separation of powers|powers]] reserved to the national government.

The government is divided into three branches, as per the specific terms articulated in part three of the [[constitution of Turkey|Turkish Constitution]]:
* [[Legislature|Legislative]]: The [[unicameralism|unicameral]] [[Grand National Assembly of Turkey|Parliament]] makes [[law]], debates and adopts the budget bills, [[declaration of war|declares war]], approves treaties, proclaims [[amnesty]] and [[pardon]], and has the power of [[impeachment]], by which it can remove sitting members of the government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Duties and Powers |url=https://global.tbmm.gov.tr/index.php/EN/yd/icerik/13 |website=global.tbmm.gov.tr |publisher=The Grand National Assembly of Turkey |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-date=5 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405013028/https://global.tbmm.gov.tr/index.php/EN/yd/icerik/13 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Executive (government)|Executive]]: [[President of Turkey|The president]] is the [[commander-in-chief]] of the military, can veto [[bill (law)|legislative bills]] before they become law (subject to parliamentary override), can issue [[Decree|presidential decrees]] on matters regarding executive power with exception of fundamental rights, individual rights and certain political rights (parliamentary laws prevail presidential decrees), and appoints the [[Cabinet of Turkey|members of the Cabinet]] and other officers, who administer and enforce national laws and policies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Duties and Powers |url=https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/presidency/power/ |website=www.tccb.gov.tr |publisher=Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108091509/https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/presidency/power/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Judiciary|Judicial]]: The [[Constitutional Court of Turkey|Constitutional Court]] (for [[constitutionality|constitutional adjudication]] and review of individual applications concerning human rights), the [[Court of Cassation of Turkey|Court of Cassation]] (final decision maker in ordinary judiciary), the [[Turkish Council of State|Council of State]] (final decision maker in administrative judiciary) and the [[Court of Jurisdictional Disputes]] (for resolving the disputes between courts for constitutional jurisdiction) are the four organizations that are described by the Constitution as supreme courts. The judges of the Constitutional Court are appointed by the president and the parliament.<ref name="Constitution2019">{{cite web |title=Turkish Constitution |url=https://www.anayasa.gov.tr/en/legislation/turkish-constiution/ |website=www.anayasa.gov.tr |publisher=Anayasa Mahkemesi |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703223625/https://www.anayasa.gov.tr/en/legislation/turkish-constiution/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

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, 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 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 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.

== Administrative divisions ==
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Turkey}}

The political system of Turkey 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?p=&id=1754625&Site=COE&direct=true|title=Local and regional democracy in Turkey|publisher=Council of Europe, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Monitoring Committee|date=1 March 2011|access-date=16 May 2016|archive-date=17 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517075504/https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?p=&id=1754625&Site=COE&direct=true|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Political principles of importance in Turkey==
[[File:EU and Turkey Locator Map.png|thumb|After becoming [[Member states of the Council of Europe|one of the early members]] of the [[Council of Europe]] in 1950, Turkey became an [[Ankara Agreement|associate member]] of the [[European Economic Community|EEC]] in 1963, joined the [[European Union Customs Union|EU Customs Union]] in 1995 and started [[Accession of Turkey to the European Union|full membership negotiations]] with the [[European Union]] in 2005.<ref name="TR_EUChrono">{{cite web|url=http://www.abgs.gov.tr/en/tur-eu_relations_dosyalar/chronology.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515022203/http://www.abgs.gov.tr/en/tur-eu_relations_dosyalar/chronology.htm|archive-date=15 May 2007|title=Chronology of Turkey-EU relations|publisher=Turkish Secretariat of European Union Affairs|access-date=30 October 2006}}</ref><ref name="barroso">{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/pdf/interview_20061015_en.pdf|title=Interview with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on BBC Sunday AM|publisher=[[European Commission]]|access-date=17 December 2006|date=15 October 2006| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061121143823/http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/pdf/interview_20061015_en.pdf| archive-date= 21 November 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref>]]

The Turkish Constitution is cumulatively built on the following principles:
* [[Kemalism]] ([[The Six Arrows]])<ref>{{Cite news |last=Solak |first=Mustafa |date=2018-02-05 |title=Altı Ok Anayasa'ya nasıl eklendi? |trans-title=How were the Six Arrows added to the Constitution? |url=https://www.aydinlik.com.tr/alti-ok-anayasa-ya-nasil-eklendi-ozgurluk-meydani-subat-2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608003524/https://www.aydinlik.com.tr/alti-ok-anayasa-ya-nasil-eklendi-ozgurluk-meydani-subat-2018 |archive-date=2018-06-08 |access-date=2018-06-08 |work=Aydınlık}}</ref>
** [[Kemalism#Republicanism|Republicanism]]
** [[Kemalism#Populism|Populism]]
** [[Kemalism#Nationalism|Nationalism]]
** [[Kemalism#Laicism|Laicism]]
** [[Kemalism#Statism|Statism]]
** [[Kemalism#Reformism|Reformism]]
* [[Modernization]]
* [[Westernization]]

Most mainstream political parties are alternatively built either on the following principles:
* [[Nationalism]]
** [[Turkish nationalism]]
** [[Kurdish nationalism]]
* [[Conservatism]]
* [[Kemalism]]
* [[Decentralization]]

Other political ideas have also influenced Turkish politics and modern history. Of particular importance are:
* [[Neoliberalism]]
* [[Pan-Turkism]]
* [[Socialism]]
* [[Communism]]
* [[Erdoğanism]]
[[Image:Map-TurkicLanguages.png|thumb|300px|alt=Map of the world|Countries and regions where a [[Turkic language]] has official status]]

These principles are the continuum around which various – and often rapidly changing – political parties and groups have campaigned (and sometimes fought). On 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 (diplomacy)|protocol]] in official ceremonies.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=151781
|access-date=1 September 2008
|title=V-Day brings protocol debates back to agenda
|date=1 September 2008
|work=[[Today's Zaman]]
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080901141904/http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=151781
|archive-date=1 September 2008
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

==Political parties and elections==
=== Political parties ===
{{Further|List of political parties in Turkey}}
After World War II, Turkey started operating under a [[Multi-party period of the Republic of Turkey|multi-party system]]. 

On the [[Centre-right politics|center right]] to [[Right-wing politics|right]] side of the Turkish [[political spectrum]], these parties have had large majorities:

* [[Democratic Party (Turkey, historical)|Democrat Party]] (DP) (Formed in 1945, shut down after the [[1960 Turkish coup d'état|1960 coup d'etat]])
* [[Justice Party (Turkey)|Justice Party]] (AP) (Formed in 1961, shut down after the [[1980 Turkish coup d'état|1980 coup d'etat]])
* [[Motherland Party (Turkey)|Motherland Party]] (ANAP) (Formed in 1983, stayed in power until 1991, was a sizeable party that sometimes was part of governing coalitions until 2002)
* [[Justice and Development Party (Turkey)|Justice and Development Party]] (AK PARTY) (Formed in 2001, has been in power since 2002)

Some other parties that have had similar politics but never had large majorities are:

* [[Democratic Party (Turkey, 1970)|Democratic Party]] (DP)
* [[Republican Reliance Party]] (CGP)
* [[Nationalist Democracy Party]] (MDP)
* [[True Path Party]] (DYP)
* [[Good Party]] (İYİ PARTY)

Turkish [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] parties are more likely to embrace principles of political ideologies such as [[Conservatism in Turkey|conservatism]], [[Turkish nationalism|nationalism]] or [[Islamism]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yılmaz |first1=Hakan |title=Conservatism in Turkey |url=https://esiweb.org/pdf/esi_turkey_tpq_vol7_no1_HakanYilmaz.pdf |publisher=[[European Stability Initiative]] |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307223711/https://www.esiweb.org/pdf/esi_turkey_tpq_vol7_no1_HakanYilmaz.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

On the [[Far-right politics|far-right]], there have been nationalist parties and Islamist parties:

* [[Idealism (Turkey)|Idealist]] parties
** [[Nationalist Movement Party]] (MHP)
** [[Nationalist Task Party]] (MÇP)
** [[Great Unity Party]] (BBP)
** [[Bright Turkey Party]] (ATP)
** [[National Path Party]] (MİLLİ YOL)
* [[Millî Görüş|Milli Görüş]] parties
** [[National Order Party]] (MNP)
** [[National Salvation Party]] (MSP)
** [[Welfare Party]] (RP)
** [[Virtue Party]] (FP)
** [[Felicity Party]] (SP)
** [[New Welfare Party]] (YRP)
* [[Victory Party (Turkey)|Victory Party]] (ZP)

On the [[Centre-left politics|center-left]] to [[Left-wing politics|left]] side of the spectrum, parties like [[Republican People's Party]] (CHP), [[Social Democratic Populist Party (Turkey)|Social Democratic Populist Party]] (SHP) and [[Democratic Left Party (Turkey)|Democratic Left Party]] (DSP) once enjoyed the largest electoral success. [[Left-wing politics|Left-wing]] parties are more likely to embrace principles of [[Social democracy|social democracy]], [[Kemalism]] or [[Secularism in Turkey|secularism]].<ref name="FleetFaroqhi2008p357">{{cite book|author1=Kate Fleet|author2=Suraiya Faroqhi|author3=Reşat Kasaba|title=The Cambridge History of Turkey|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iOoGH4GckQgC&pg=PA357|access-date=13 June 2013|year=2008|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-62096-3|pages=357–358|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117224558/https://books.google.com/books?id=iOoGH4GckQgC&pg=PA357|url-status=live}}</ref>

On the [[Far-left politics|far-left]] side, [[Socialism|socialist]] and [[Communism|communist]] parties tend not to get large votes, but parties like the [[Workers' Party of Turkey (1961)|Workers' Party of Turkey]] (and the [[Workers' Party of Turkey (2017)|party with the same name]] founded in 2017) have been able to get elected representatives in the parliament.

=== Elections ===
[[File:Atatürk Airport ballot box 2.JPG|thumb|A woman casting her vote at the 2015 elections]]
{{Further|Elections in Turkey}}
Elections in Turkey are held for six functions of [[Government of Turkey|government]]: [[Turkish presidential elections|presidential elections]] (national), [[Grand National Assembly of Turkey|parliamentary elections]] (national), [[Metropolitan municipalities in Turkey|municipality mayors]] (local), [[List of districts in Turkey|district mayors]] (local), [[Provinces of Turkey|provincial]] or [[List of municipalities in Turkey|municipal council members]] (local) and [[Muhtar (title)|muhtars]] (local).

Apart from [[election]]s, [[referendum]]s are also held occasionally. To put forward a referendum regarding [[constitutional amendment]]s, 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 [[2023 Turkish general election|general election]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilks |first1=Andrew |title=Turkey's Erdogan celebrates presidential election run-off win |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/28/turkey-presidential-election-results-3 |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Suffrage ==
Every Turkish citizen who has turned 18 has the [[Suffrage|right to vote]] and stand as a candidate at elections. [[Universal suffrage]] for both sexes has been applied throughout Turkey since 1934.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkish women celebrate 85th anniversary of suffrage |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-women-celebrate-85th-anniversary-of-suffrage-149490 |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=Hürriyet Daily News |date=5 December 2019 |language=en |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412174514/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-women-celebrate-85th-anniversary-of-suffrage-149490 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Milletvekili seçilme yaşı 25'e iniyor |url=https://www.haberturk.com/gundem/haber/2230-milletvekili-secilme-yasi-25e-iniyor |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=www.haberturk.com |date=6 October 2006 |language=tr |archive-date=18 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418080456/https://www.haberturk.com/gundem/haber/2230-milletvekili-secilme-yasi-25e-iniyor |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the [[2017 Turkish constitutional referendum|2017 constitutional referendum]], it was further lowered to 18.<ref>{{cite news |title='Lowering age of candidacy shows trust in youth' |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2017/02/11/lowering-age-of-candidacy-shows-trust-in-youth |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=Daily Sabah |date=11 February 2017 |archive-date=18 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418080459/https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2017/02/11/lowering-age-of-candidacy-shows-trust-in-youth |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Financing ==
Political parties can use [[donation]]s, dues, [[real estate]] income and income from party activities to continue their activities. Since 1965, the [[Ministry of Treasury and Finance (Turkey)|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 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.<ref name="euronews2021">{{cite news |title=Siyasi partilere hazine yardımı nasıl belirleniyor? |url=https://tr.euronews.com/2021/11/02/siyasi-partilere-hazine-yard-m-nas-l-belirleniyor-2022-de-hangi-parti-ne-kadar-alacak |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=euronews |date=2 November 2021 |language=tr |archive-date=31 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131105132/https://tr.euronews.com/2021/11/02/siyasi-partilere-hazine-yard-m-nas-l-belirleniyor-2022-de-hangi-parti-ne-kadar-alacak |url-status=live }}</ref>

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 [[Turkish presidential elections|presidential elections]]. 
[[Anonymity|Anonymous]] donations to political parties are also not allowed. It should be clearly stated in 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.<ref name="mevzuat">{{cite web |title=Siyasi Partiler Kanunu |url=https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuatmetin/1.5.2820.pdf |website=mevzuat.gov.tr |access-date=18 April 2022 |archive-date=2 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202064245/https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.2820.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to article 74 of the Political Parties Law, the financial control of political parties is carried out by the [[Constitutional Court of Turkey|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 the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Supreme Court for information, until the end of June.<ref name="mevzuat" />

==Military involvement in politics==

{{Further|Deep state in Turkey}}
Since [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]] founded the modern secular Republic of Turkey in 1923, the Turkish military has perceived itself as the guardian of [[Kemalism]], 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 the past decades, via the [[National Security Council (Turkey)|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 [[coup d'état|coups d'état]] [[1960 Turkish coup d'état|in 1960]], [[1971 Turkish coup d'état|in 1971]], and [[1980 Turkish coup d'état|in 1980]]. In 1997, it maneuvered the removal of an Islamic-oriented prime minister, [[Necmettin Erbakan]].<ref name="CIAFbTR">{{Cite web |title=Turkey - The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/turkey/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110073821/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/turkey |archive-date=10 January 2021 |website=CIA}}</ref> The military continued to effect politics throughout 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 [[Refah Partisi|Welfare Party]], the army issued a statement of its interests. It said that 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 the unchangeable characteristics of the Republic of Turkey. Their loyalty to this determination is absolute."<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6602775.stm
|access-date=30 June 2008
|work=[[BBC News]]
|date=28 April 2007
|title=Excerpts of Turkish army statement
|archive-date=15 May 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515081404/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6602775.stm
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

The Turkish populace is not uniformly averse to coups; many welcome the ejection of governments they perceive as unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/43940
|access-date=11 October 2008
|title=The Coming Coup d'Etat?
|work=[[Newsweek]]
|date=4 December 2006
|first=Zeyno
|last=Baran
|archive-date=7 October 2008
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007013030/http://www.newsweek.com/id/43940
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stormingmedia.us/31/3134/A313424.pdf|title=U.S.-Turkish Relations: The Road to Improving a Troubled Strategic Partnership|author=Lt. Col. Patrick F. Gillis|date=3 May 2004|publisher=[[U.S. Army War College]]|pages=4|quote=In all of these 'coups' the majority of the Turkish public accepted the military's actions because they felt they were necessary for the well being of the state and because the military did not seek to impose permanent military governance|access-date=23 March 2010|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215171331/http://www.stormingmedia.us/31/3134/A313424.pdf|url-status=live}}<!-- back-up: http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA424313 --></ref>{{Better source needed|reason=needs a cite which postdates most recent coup attempt as attitudes may have changed|date=January 2022}} 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 the headscarf, have been charged with "lack of discipline".<ref>[http://www.uscirf.gov/images/AR2008/kazakhmalayturkeyar2008_full%20color.pdf Other countries under review: kazakhstan, malaysia, and turkey] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509013145/http://www.uscirf.gov/images/AR2008/kazakhmalayturkeyar2008_full%20color.pdf |date=9 May 2009 }} United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. 2008. Retrieved on 2 May 2009.</ref>

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 the Turkish people trust the most.<ref>{{cite journal
 |url             = http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20060101faessay85108/ersel-aydinli-nihat-ali-ozcan-dogan-akyaz/the-turkish-military-s-march-toward-europe.html
 |access-date      = 16 December 2008
 |title           = The Turkish Military's March Toward Europe
 |author1         = Ersel Aydinli
 |author2         = Nihat Ali Özcan
 |author3         = Dogan Akyaz
 |name-list-style = amp
 |journal         = [[Foreign Affairs]]
 |date            = January–February 2006
 |url-status         = dead
 |archive-url      = https://web.archive.org/web/20090106040555/http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20060101faessay85108/ersel-aydinli-nihat-ali-ozcan-dogan-akyaz/the-turkish-military-s-march-toward-europe.html
 |archive-date     = 6 January 2009
 |df              = dmy-all
}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=needs a cite which postdates most recent coup attempt as attitudes may have changed|date=January 2022}}

On 15 July 2016, factions within the Turkish Military [[2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt|attempted]] to [[Coup d'état|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]].<ref name="Filkins2016a">{{cite magazine|last1=Filkins|first1=Dexter|date=17 October 2016|title=Turkey's Thirty-Year Coup|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/17/turkeys-thirty-year-coup|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=15 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715060435/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/17/turkeys-thirty-year-coup|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey's coup attempt: What you need to know |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36816045 |work=BBC News |date=16 July 2016 |access-date=25 November 2022 |archive-date=25 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125175119/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36816045 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the aftermath of the failed coup, [[2016–present purges in Turkey|major purges]] have occurred, including that of military officials, police officers, judges, governors and civil servants.<ref name="WashPost_35k">{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Loveday|date=19 July 2016|title=Turkey suspends more than 15,000 education workers in widening purge|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/turkey-jails-generals-as-post-coup-purge-widens/2016/07/19/db076c84-4d1f-11e6-bf27-405106836f96_story.html|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-date=22 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722223251/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/turkey-jails-generals-as-post-coup-purge-widens/2016/07/19/db076c84-4d1f-11e6-bf27-405106836f96_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There has also been significant media purge in the aftermath of the failed coup.<ref name="cpj.org">{{Cite web|title=Turkey Crackdown Chronicle: Week of July 24 - Committee to Protect Journalists|url=https://cpj.org/blog/2016/07/turkey-crackdown-chronicle-week-of-july-24.php|access-date=5 October 2016|website=cpj.org|date=25 July 2016|archive-date=4 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004170230/https://www.cpj.org/blog/2016/07/turkey-crackdown-chronicle-week-of-july-24.php|url-status=live}}</ref> There has been allegations of [[torture]] in connection with these purges.<ref name="independent">{{cite news|title=Detainees beaten, tortured and raped after failed Turkey coup, Amnesty says|publisher=independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/detainees-beaten-tortured-and-raped-after-failed-turkey-coup-amnesty-says-a7154091.html|access-date=25 November 2022|archive-date=25 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125235849/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/detainees-beaten-tortured-and-raped-after-failed-turkey-coup-amnesty-says-a7154091.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Ombudsman ==
{{Main|Ombudsman Institution}}
In 2012 the position of [[ombudsman]] was created, due to the ratification of the [[2010 Turkish constitutional referendum|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 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 [[Grand National Assembly of Turkey|Parliament]] alone.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
The ombudsman is elected for a period of 4 years by the Parliament.<ref name="OHCHR">{{cite web |title=The Ombudsman Institution of Turkey and its role in ensuring access to justice for the right to housing and property |url=https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/Justice/OmbudsmanInstitutionTurkey.pdf |website=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] |access-date=18 April 2022 |archive-date=19 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819141405/https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/Justice/OmbudsmanInstitutionTurkey.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Foreign relations ==
{{Main|Foreign relations of Turkey}}

Throughout the [[Cold War]], [[Turkey]]'s most important ally has been the [[United States]], which shared [[Turkey]]'s interest in containing [[Truman Doctrine|Soviet expansion]].<ref>Migdalovitz, Carol. "Turkey: Ally in a Troubled Region." Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service, 93-835F. Washington: September 14, 1993.</ref><ref>Karasapan, Omer. "Turkey and US Strategy in the Age of Glasnost," ''Middle East Report'', No. 160, September–October 1989, pp. 4–10, 22.</ref> In support of the [[United States]], [[Turkey]] contributed personnel to the [[Turkish Brigade|UN force]]s in the [[Korean War]] (1950–1953), joined [[NATO]] in 1952, recognized [[Israel]] in 1948 and has cooperated closely with it.<ref>Aybet, Gülnur. ''Turkey's Foreign Policy and Its Implications for the West: A Turkish Perspective''. London: Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies, 1994.</ref>

=== Turkey's relations with Israel ===
[[Turkey]]'s alliance with [[Israel]] during the [[Arab–Israeli conflict]] strained its relations with the [[Arab world]]<ref>Fuller, Graham E., Ian O. Lesser, Paul B. Henze, and J.F. Brown. ''Turkey's New Geopolitics: From the Balkans to Western China''. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1993.</ref> and [[Iran]],<ref name="Robins, Philip 1991">Robins, Philip. ''Turkey and the Middle East''. London: Royal Institute of International Affairs and New York: Council on Foreign Relations Press, 1991.</ref> and subsequently led to overt [[Syria]]n support for [[Palestine Liberation Organization|Palestinian]] and [[Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia|Armenian terrorist operations]] against Turkish diplomats abroad until 1990.<ref>United States. Department of Defense. Terrorist Group Profiles. Washington: GPO, 1988.</ref><ref>United States. Department of State. Patterns of Global Terrorism, 1992. Washington: 1993.</ref><ref>United States. Department of State. Patterns of Global Terrorism 1993. Washington: 1994.</ref>

==See also==
* {{Cl|Political prisoners in Turkey}}
* [[Censorship in Turkey]]
* [[Constitution of Turkey]]
* [[Democratic_backsliding_by_country – Asia#Turkey|Democratic backsliding in Turkey]]
* [[Cabinet of Turkey]]
* [[Coalition governments in Turkey]]
* [[Government of Turkey]]
* [[Turkish order of precedence]]
* [[Women in Turkish politics]]
* [[National Security Council (Turkey)]]
* [[Conspiracy theories in Turkey]]
* [[Legislation of Turkey]]

== Further reading ==
* Yildirim, Tevfik Murat (2024). "[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261379424000040 The republic at the centennial: A new dataset of the entire population of legislators and their parliamentary activities in Turkey]". ''Electoral Studies'' 88
*{{cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/mar/17/analysis-five-myths-about-turkey/|title=Five myths about Turkey|work=Steven A Cook|publisher=[[Washington Post]] (special)}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Judiciaries of Turkey}}
{{Clear}}
{{Turkey topics}}
{{Asia topic|Politics of}}
{{Politics of Europe}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics of Turkey}}
[[Category:Politics of Turkey| ]]