The Reform of the Turkish system of government was preceded by a months-long mud battle between supporters and opponents. The government argued that with the new System decisions “could be faster, more effective and stable” to be like – in addition, red tape would be reduced. The Opposition was represented, in turn, is of the opinion that this step would lead to a “One-man rule. Some critics even saw in the new system of government, a nail in the coffin of Turkish democracy.
The constitutional referendum in April, the proponents of touch by 2017setzten thin against the skeptics: 51.4 percent of voters crossed “evet” – “Yes” on the ballot, a lead of just under three percentage points compared with the negative votes. In July 2018, it was ready: The presidential system was introduced, the Turkish head of state since then, so far-reaching powers, such as never before. The Parliament in Ankara has significantly less competences than before the Reform.
Erdogan has ruled by decree
The opinions of the presidential system differ between the Opposition and the government, even today, is clear: While President Erdogan and his government always speak of efficiency, have proved to be true from the point of view of the opponent fears.
the Crucial reason for this skeptical attitude is that Erdogan has used in the past two years, very often an aspect of his new Power and its decisions by decree continued: 64 Times by the Turkish President, such regulations had, 2229, individual articles of Law he pushed through without parliamentary debate and vote. For comparison: The Turkish Parliament, with its 600 members had only contained 104 laws – a total of 1493 articles – to have a say.
Many critics see in the frequent decree, decisions a proof that Erdogan has taken since the introduction of the new system of government a powerful Position in relation to the Parliament. In addition, the coalition government of Erdogan’s Islamic-conservative AKP and the ultra-national MHP has a clear majority in the Turkish Parliament. Even in the case of those legislative initiatives, which will be presented to the Parliament can be outvoted by the Opposition easily.
Many of the opposition politicians feel as a result of this presidential Overweight disempowered. They see their only hope in the Turkish constitutional court. The largest opposition party, the social democratic CHP, has appealed to the Supreme Turkish court, to decrees of the President challenge: Since the beginning of the presidential system, the CHP has requested the waiver of 64 decrees and 104 of the laws at the constitutional judges. But the smaller parties such as the nationalist Iyi party or the prokurdische HDP will not be able to use once, this Means – you have to pull a few deputies and thus do not have the right, in front of the highest court in Ankara.
“No culture of discussion more”
The CHP Deputy and constitutional lawyer, Ibrahim Kaboğlu, the new System is referred to as a “mono-democracy”, because the entire administration is tailored to a Person. “The Turkish President always gives instructions to his Ministers depend on”.
the Turkish Parliament by the constitutional reform, more efficient, have not proved to be true in the first two years, criticized Kaboğlu. Particularly regrettable, he finds that there is no culture of discussion and more.
“deputies are no longer able to bring in Parliament, your preferences and your will. Legislative proposals are prepared by the deputies, but by bureaucrats from the presidential Palace”.
The end of the separation of powers?
The Vice rector of the Istanbul Altınbaş University, Ahmet Kasım Han, also drew a negative balance and provides the cornerstone of democracy: “There is now no separation of powers anymore – at least not the way I understand it. Separation of powers does not mean that it reigns alone”, writes Han. There must be “Checks and Balances” of the effective control of those in power.
While politicians from all opposition parties, almost a return to the parliamentary system of government wishes, it seems that the coalition government, in exactly the opposite direction, go to: For months, said representatives of the government, that further Changes are needed. We are of the opinion, “that the continuation of the presidential system, in which urgent reforms have to be carried out,” the MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli. However, it was not yet clear exactly how these reforms will look like.
The Opposition wants a return,
According to the presidential Palace, Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to introduce soon an “action plan for the half-year”, which will affect the work of the presidential authorities as well as the ministries. Responsible for the process of reform of the Vice-President of Turkey, Fuat Oktay was. He told the Turkish press that the system was in the process already in the final phase.
critics believe that this reform process is an attempt to cementing the presidential system and the President, with even more powers. For opposition politicians, Ibrahim Kaboğlu, there is only one solution: To bury the presidential system as soon as possible. “There’s nothing to be revised, improve, or revise.” You have to consider the current System as a historical Experiment, it is eliminate and in Turkey, finally, back to the parliamentary Tradition of return.
author: Gülsen Solaker
*The article “Erdogan’s controversial presidential system – a balance sheet” is published by Deutsche Welle. Contact with the executives here.
Deutsche Welle
