Politics of Turkey

Turkey has operated under a presidential system since 2018. The president simultaneously serves as head of state and head of the executive branch; the office of prime minister was abolished. The Turkish Grand National Assembly (parliament) has 600 members, with parliamentary and presidential elections held on the same day.

This system resulted from constitutional amendments approved by narrow majority on 16 April 2017. The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe noted at the time that the changes concentrated executive power in a single person while reducing parliamentary oversight. The government argued that the system would bring stability and faster decision-making.

State institutions

The president appoints and dismisses vice presidents and cabinet ministers, and issues presidential decrees that govern certain policy areas. The presidential term is five years. Parliament makes laws and has the power to call early elections, though this requires a broad majority. The Constitutional Court interprets the constitution, while the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) oversees the appointment and assignment of judges.

Parties and coalitions

For years, the political center has been dominated by the AK Party (AKP), led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in coalition with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) as the 'People's Alliance'. The largest opposition is the Republican People's Party (CHP), which led the 'Nation's Alliance' in 2023. The DEM Party, rooted in Kurdish support, campaigns independently and typically ranks third in parliamentary seats. Law 7393, passed in 2022, lowered the general election threshold from 10% to 7%, still considered among Europe's highest.

Elections of 2023 and 2024

The general election on 14 May 2023 produced no presidential majority, and a runoff was held on 28 May. Erdoğan received approximately 52.1% and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu approximately 47.9%, according to the High Election Board (YSK). Voter turnout was notably high. The ODIHR election observation mission concluded that the election was competitive and well-administered in many respects, but noted unequal treatment of candidates, particularly regarding media access and use of state resources.

The local elections on 31 March 2024 showed a shift: the CHP became the leading party nationwide by vote share for the first time in years (approximately 37–38%), while the AKP declined to an estimated 35%. The CHP retained mayoral control of major cities including Istanbul and Ankara.

Recent political tensions

In March 2025, Istanbul's mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested on corruption charges, one day after Istanbul University revoked his diploma—a requirement for presidential candidacy. The arrest sparked large protests. Human rights organizations including HRW characterized the measures as politically motivated; the government responded that the courts are independent.

The Kurdish issue

In February 2025, Abdullah Öcalan, founder of the PKK (the armed group that has fought the state since 1984), called on the organization to disarm and disband. On 12 May 2025, the PKK announced a decision to disband. This process involves the DEM Party and government coordination, but legal steps for combatant repatriation and political restructuring remain open questions.