Turkish Parliament

Turkish Parliament
Juris Tiltins · Public domain · source
Name	Grand National Assembly of Turkey
Native name	Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi
Established	23 April 1920
Preceded by	Ottoman Parliament
House type	Unicameral
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Numan Kurtulmuş
Party1	Justice and Development Party
Election1	2023
Members	600
Term length	5 years
Voting system	D'Hondt method, party-list proportional representation
Last election	14 May 2023
Meeting place	Parliament Building, Ankara

Turkish Parliament

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Turkey, founded on 23 April 1920 during the Turkish War of Independence and central to the founding reforms of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It functions as the principal lawmaking institution where deputies elected under the D'Hondt method represent provinces such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Over its history the Assembly has interacted with actors including the Republic People's Party, the Justice and Development Party (Turkey), and military interventions like the 1980 Turkish coup d'état.

History

The Assembly was convened in Ankara amid the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the occupation of Istanbul after World War I. Delegates to the first Grand National Assembly included revolutionaries who led the Turkish National Movement and negotiated the Treaty of Lausanne which recognized Turkish sovereignty. The 1924 Constitution established the Assembly as the sovereign organ; subsequent constitutions, notably the 1961 and 1982 constitutions enacted after the 1960 Turkish coup d'état and the 1980 coup, reshaped parliamentary powers. Political milestones include the single-party era under the Republic People's Party (historical) and the multi-party transition marked by the Democrat Party (Turkey, 1946) victory in 1950. The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw competition between the Welfare Party, the Motherland Party (Turkey), the Nationalist Movement Party, and newer formations such as the Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey) and the Good Party, amid constitutional amendments and referendums.

Structure and Composition

The Assembly is unicameral with 600 members called deputies elected for five-year terms from 87 electoral districts corresponding to provinces like Bursa, Antalya, and Gaziantep. Seats are allocated via closed-party lists using the D'Hondt method, with a national threshold previously set at 10% and later modified through legal and judicial challenges including rulings by the Constitutional Court of Turkey. Leadership includes a Speaker of the Grand National Assembly and multiple deputy speakers, with party parliamentary groups such as the Justice and Development Party (Turkey), Republican People's Party, Nationalist Movement Party, and parliamentary alliances like the People's Alliance (Turkey) and the Nation Alliance (Turkey) influencing committee assignments and legislative agendas.

Powers and Functions

Constitutional powers encompass lawmaking, budget approval, declaration of emergency measures, ratification of international treaties such as those modeled after the Treaty of Lausanne, and oversight of the presidency and executive institutions including ministries like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey). The Assembly can authorize deployment of the Turkish Armed Forces abroad through parliamentary approval and has the authority to initiate investigations and impeachment proceedings against officials under provisions of the 1982 Constitution of Turkey. It also elects members to bodies such as the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (Turkey) and participates in appointments to the Constitutional Court of Turkey.

Legislative Process

Legislative initiatives originate from deputies, the president, and government ministries like the Ministry of Justice (Turkey). Bills pass through readings on the floor, referral to relevant standing committees—such as the Planning and Budget Commission—and plenary votes using rules prescribed by the Assembly's Rules of Procedure. Emergency decrees and presidential legislative powers, expanded by the 2017 constitutional referendum, interact with parliamentary review mechanisms and judicial review by the Constitutional Court of Turkey. High-profile laws in areas like constitutional amendment, electoral law, and anti-terror legislation have triggered debates involving civil society organizations, trade unions like the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions, and international bodies such as the Council of Europe.

Political Parties and Leadership

Party groups shape legislative priorities; major parties include the Justice and Development Party (Turkey), the Republican People's Party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey), and the Nationalist Movement Party, while newer movements like the Good Party and alliances such as the People's Alliance (Turkey) influence coalition dynamics. Parliamentary leadership comprises the Speaker, deputy speakers, and heads of parliamentary groups who coordinate floor strategy, committee nominations, and inter-parliamentary relations with assemblies like the European Parliament and legislative bodies in countries such as Germany and United States Congress.

Committees and Internal Organization

The Assembly operates standing committees (e.g., the Constitutional Commission, Justice Commission, Foreign Affairs Commission) which examine legislation, summon ministers, and prepare reports for plenary consideration. Temporary study commissions address issues like electoral reform or human rights, coordinating with institutions such as the Ankara Bar Association and academic centers including Middle East Technical University. Administrative organs include the General Secretariat of the Grand National Assembly which manages procedural, translation, and archival functions and liaises with parliamentary delegations to bodies like the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Building and Facilities

The Assembly originally met in the War of Independence Museum (first Parliament Building) before relocating to modern facilities in Ankara; its current complex includes plenary chambers, committee rooms, the library, media centers, and security installations. The parliamentary library houses collections on Ottoman archives, the Treaty of Lausanne, and legislative records, while official residences and protocol facilities accommodate state visits by delegations from countries such as France, United Kingdom, and Russia. Security incidents and renovations have occasionally prompted relocation and preservation efforts involving agencies like the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Category:Politics of Turkey