Constitutional changes in Turkey: A presidential system or the president’s system? EPC Commentary, 24 January 2017

Paul, Amanda and Seyrek, Demir Murat (2017) Constitutional changes in Turkey: A presidential system or the president’s system? EPC Commentary, 24 January 2017. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

On 21 January 2017, following two weeks of tense debates, the Turkish Parliament adopted a controversial 18-article constitutional amendment package aimed at transforming Turkey from a parliamentary governance system to an executive presidency. A nationwide referendum on the changes will take place later this spring. If adopted, it will give the president unprecedented powers, including an increased influence over parliament and the courts – two main sources of checks and balances. Separation of powers and judicial independence are the cornerstones of democratic societies and such a development is likely to raise concerns from the EU. This risks worsening an already problem-fraught relationship.

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