Grand National Assembly

Grand National Assembly. The supreme legislative body of the Republic of Turkey, it was founded in Ankara on 23 April 1920 during the Turkish War of Independence. As the seat of popular sovereignty, it led the national struggle under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and subsequently formed the foundation of the modern Turkish state. The assembly exercises crucial powers including enacting laws, approving the budget, declaring war, and overseeing the Council of Ministers.

History

The first assembly convened in Ankara amidst the occupation of Constantinople by the Allies of World War I, establishing itself as the legitimate government in opposition to the Ottoman Sublime Porte. Key milestones include the adoption of the Constitution of 1921, the abolition of the Ottoman sultanate in 1922, and the proclamation of the republic in 1923. Following the single-party period dominated by the Republican People's Party, the transition to a multi-party system after World War II fundamentally altered its political dynamics. The assembly has operated under several constitutions, most notably the Constitution of 1961 and the current 1982 constitution, drafted after the 1980 Turkish coup d'état.

Structure and composition

The assembly is a unicameral parliament composed of 600 members known as deputies, elected for five-year terms through proportional representation from 87 electoral districts. The Speaker presides over the assembly's proceedings and is elected from among its members. Work is organized through specialized standing committees, such as those for plan and budget, foreign relations, and constitutional justice. The Presidium, consisting of the Speaker and deputy speakers, manages administrative affairs, while political groups are formed by parties that surpass the national election threshold.

Powers and functions

As outlined in the constitution, the assembly holds extensive legislative authority to enact, amend, or repeal laws. It exercises critical oversight through mechanisms like parliamentary inquiry, general debate, and the questioning of ministers. The assembly ratifies international treaties, authorizes the deployment of the Turkish Armed Forces abroad, and holds the power to declare states of emergency. It approves the government budget and final accounts, and possesses the sole authority to lift the parliamentary immunity of its members. Furthermore, it elects the President of Turkey and can initiate investigations against the president, vice president, or ministers through an impeachment process.

Role in Turkish politics

The assembly is the central arena for political party competition and coalition government formation, significantly influencing the stability of executives. Its relationship with the powerful presidency, established after the 2017 Turkish constitutional referendum, defines much of contemporary Turkish politics. The assembly also serves as a platform for representing the diverse political and social currents within Turkish society, including Kurdish political movements. Its actions and debates are closely followed by institutions like the Constitutional Court of Turkey and the Supreme Election Council, and it plays a key role in Turkey's European Union integration process.

Notable sessions and decisions

Historically significant sessions include the opening of the first assembly in 1920 and the adoption of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. The assembly made the landmark decision to grant the surname Atatürk to Mustafa Kemal in 1934. It approved major military interventions such as the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and cross-border operations into Syria against the Islamic State and the Kurdistan Workers' Party. More recently, it voted to approve the constitutional changes transitioning to a presidential system and has ratified key international agreements like the Montreux Convention and Turkey's membership in NATO.