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Parliament name (generic / translated) Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi (T.B.M.M) / Grand National Assembly of Turkey More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1910 - 1980 1984 - LEADERSHIP President Köksal Toptan (Aug. 2007 - Aug. 2009) (M)   Secretary General Ali Osman Koca (M)   COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 550 / 549 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 50 (9.11%) Mode of designation Directly elected 550 Term 4 years Last renewal dates 22 July 2007 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Grand National Assembly of Turkey T.B.M.M. ANKARA (Export mailing lists) Phone (90 312) 420 51 51 Fax (90312) 420 67 56 E-mail gensek@tbmm.gov.tr Website http://www.tbmm.gov.tr

Parliament name (generic / translated) Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi (T.B.M.M) / Grand National Assembly of Turkey Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 1 January 1900 Mode of designation Directly elected 550 Constituencies 79 multi-member constituencies corresponding to the country's provinces. Voting system Proportional: Party-list proportional representation system using the d'Hondt method, with restricted options and a double barrier (at the local and national level). Accordingly, a candidate from a political party can only be elected if the party (a) is fully organized in at least half of the provinces and one- third of the districts within these provinces; (b) has nominated two candidates for each parliamentary seat in at least half of the provinces; (c) has obtained at least 10% of the valid votes cast nationwide; and (d) has received, in the constituency in question, valid votes at least equal to the applicable simple electoral quotient. Subject to certain conditions and exceptions, vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections. Voting is compulsory, abstention being punishable by a fine. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - Turkish citizenship - disqualifications: criminal conviction, insanity, allegiance to a foreign State CANDIDATES Eligibility Qualified electors - age: 30 years - Turkish citizenship - completion of compulsory military service (for men) - ineligibility: bankruptcy, conviction of certain crimes listed in the Constitution, imprisonment for at least one year Incompatibilities - judges - prosecutors - members of high courts - university professors - members of the Higher Educational Council - certain public officials - civil servants or public employees - members of the armed forces Candidacy requirements - nomination by parties or independent candidatures - support of a given number of electors (which varies according to the population of the constituency) - non-reimbursable monetary deposit equivalent to US$ 30,000

Parliament name (generic / translated) Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi (T.B.M.M) / Grand National Assembly of Turkey Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 22 July 2007 Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all the seats in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey following the adoption on 3 May 2007 of a motion by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that called for early general elections to be held. General elections had previously been taken place in November 2002. The July 2007 elections were triggered when the Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan nominated Foreign Minister Mr. Abdullah Gül for the presidency of the country. The AKP, formed by members of Turkey's Islamic movement in 2001, had won a landslide victory in the previous elections held in November 2002, taking 361 of the 550 seats in parliament. The secular Republican People's Party (CHP, which took 179 seats in 2002), led by former foreign minister Mr. Deniz Baykal, vehemently rejected Mr. Gül's candidature. It subsequently boycotted parliament to prevent it from meeting the two-thirds quorum. Following a stalemate, both sides agreed to call early elections for 22 July, four months earlier than the constitutional due date. A total of 14 parties and 7,395 candidates ran in the 2007 elections. Prime Minister Erdogan's AKP pledged to work for national unity and respect the country's secular constitution. He called on voters' support for pursuing the economic growth and the lower inflation rate achieved under his government. He promised to continue efforts to accede to the European Union (EU). The CHP accused the AKP of undermining the country's secular system. It presented a manifesto including anti-terrorist measures and education reform, although these issues were pushed into the background during the electoral campaign. The centre-left Democratic Left Party (DSP), led by Mr. Zeki Sezer, formed an electoral coalition with the CHP whereby DSP candidates ran under the CHP banner. The right-wing Nationalist Action Party (MHP), led by Mr. Devlet Bahceli, criticized the AKP's bid to join the EU. It accused the government of not being tough enough on Kurdish separatist groups and called for a military incursion into northern Iraq to fight these Kurdish groups reportedly based there. Prior to the 2002 elections, the MHP had been part of a DSP-led coalition government, but had failed to win any seats in 2002. The pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), led by Mr. Ahmet Türk, backed a number of independent candidates. They included a lawyer who used to represent Mr. Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader; and a female inmate who campaigned from prison while awaiting trial on charges of separatism. A total of 84.16 per cent of the country's 42.5 million registered voters turned out at the polls. Prime Minister Erdogan's AKP remained the largest party in parliament with 341 seats, but failed to secure the two-thirds majority needed to elect its presidential nominee. The CHP came in second with 112 seats, losing 67. The MHP returned to parliament with 71 seats (see note). The 26 remaining seats went to independent candidates. In all, a record 50 women were elected, up from 24 in the previous elections held in 2002. Following the elections, 13 members of the DSP decided to split from the CHP, thus reducing the number of CHP seats to 99. Twenty of the 26 independent candidates elected were sworn in as Democratic Society Party (DTP) members. The DTP returned to parliament for the first time since 1991, when its members were ousted after insisting on taking their parliamentary oath in Kurdish. The jailed candidate was released after her election, by virtue of the immunity granted to parliamentarians. Another independent member formed the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP), while five others remained independent. The newly-elected members were sworn in on 4 August. On 9 August, Mr. Köksal Toptan (AKP) was elected as the new Speaker. On the following day, Ms. Güldal Mumcu (CHP) and Ms. Meral Aksener (MHP) were elected as Deputy Speakers, becoming the first women to hold these posts. In the meantime, on 6 August, outgoing President Ahmet Necdet Sezer asked Mr. Erdogan to form a new government. The AKP endorsed Mr. Abdullah Gül as its presidential candidate. In the first and second rounds of voting in the presidential elections, no candidate won the necessary two thirds of votes. In the third round, which requires only a simple majority of 276 votes, Mr. Gül was finally elected as the country's new President, winning 339 votes. He was officially sworn in on the next day and subsequently approved the new AKP government led by Prime Minister Erdogan. Final composition of the Grand National Assembly as at 4 August 2007 Justice and Development Party (AKP): 341 Republican People's Party (CHP): 99 Nationalist Movement Party (MHP): 70 Democratic Society Party (DTP): 20* Democratic Left Party (DSP): 13* Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP): 1* Independent: 5 Vacant: 1 * Parties formed after the elections. STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 22 July 2007 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 42'571'284 35'828'274 (84.16%) 1'005'367 34'822'907 Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Justice and Development Party (AKP) 16'198'597 46.52 Republican People's Party (CHP) 7'277'553 20.90 Nationalist Action Party (MHP) 4'968'452 14.27 Independents 1'835'486 5.27 Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Justice and Development Party (AKP) 341 Republican People's Party (CHP) 112 Nationalist Action Party (MHP) 71 Independents 26 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 500 50 9.09% Distribution of seats according to age 31 to 40 years 41 to 50 years 51 to 60 years 61 to 70 years Over 70 years Unknown 54 177 234 78 5 2 Distribution of seats according to profession Educators Engineers/PC experts Legal professions Others Medical professions (doctors, dentists, nurses) Economists Bankers (including invest bankers)/accountants Civil/public servants/administrators (including social/development workers) Farmers/agricultural workers (including wine growers) Media-related professions (journalists/publishers) Architects Liberal professions (including artists, authors) and sports professionals Scientists and researchers Military/police officers Consultants (including real estate agents) 121 101 92 57 40 39 22 18 17 11 10 9 6 5 2 Comments Source (Grand National Assembly of Turkey, 22.02.2008) Note on the distribution of seats according to political parties: The number of seats won by the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) includes one vacated by Dr. Mehmet Cihat Ozonder, who was killed in a traffic accident in Ankara on 26 July. The vacant seat will not be filled until the next general elections.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi (T.B.M.M) / Grand National Assembly of Turkey Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Term - duration: 2 years for the first election and 3 years for the second, the legislative term being 5 years (elected on 16/10/1997 for 3 years) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death Appointment - elected by all Members of the TNGA - the election is held at the start of the session - after Members' mandates have been validated and they have been sworn in Eligibility - any Member who is formally a candidate may be elected Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot - two-thirds majority required for the two first rounds; absolute majority for the third round and simple majority for the fourth round Procedures / results - the eldest Member presides over the Assembly during the voting - the eldest Member and Members of the Presidential Board supervise the voting - the eldest Member announces the results without delay - the results cannot be challenged STATUS Status - ranks second in the hierarchy of the State - acts as Head of State in the absence of the latter - represents the Assembly with the authorities - represents the Assembly in international bodies - in the absence of the President, one of the Vice-Presidents designed by the President can assume his/her role and functions Board - the Presidential Board is regulated by the Rules of Procedure - consists of the President, four Vice-Presidents, three administrative members and seven other members. Their term is identical to that of the President - meets at the initiative of the President of Parliament Material facilities - allowance - official residence - official car - secretariat - additional staff - advisors - bodyguards FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions - establishes and modifies the agenda - organizes the debates and sets speaking time - examines the admissibility of bills and amendments - refers texts to a committee for study - examines the admissibility of requests for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees - may appoint committees and their Chairmen Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak - establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated - calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities - checks the quorum - authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates - interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly based on precedents Special powers - plays a specific role in supervising foreign policy or defence matters - is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Assembly Speaking and voting rights, other functions - proposes bills or amendments by leaving his/her chair

Parliament name (generic / translated) Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi (T.B.M.M) / Grand National Assembly of Turkey Structure of parliament Unicameral NATURE Nature of the mandate · Free representation (Art. 80 of the Constitution of 07.11.1982, as amended up to and including 17.05.1987) Start of the mandate · When the election results are published. Procedure. Validation of mandates · Validation by the Supreme Electoral Council (Art. 79 (2) of the Constitution) · Procedure (Art. 79 (2) of the Constitution) End of the mandate · When the mandates of newly elected MPs start (for early dissolution, see Art. 77 (2) and (3) of the Constitution) Can MPs resign? Yes · Yes, of their own free will (Art. 84 of the Constitution) · Procedure (Art. 84 of the Constitution): loss of membership shall be decided by an absolute majority of the total number of Members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. · Authority competent to accept the resignation: the Turkish Grand National Assembly Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter: - Resignation from one party in order to join another party (art. 84 (1) and (2) of the Constitution) - Dissolution of a political party (Art. 84 (3) of the Constitution) - Loss of mandate for incompatibilities (art. 82 and 84 (1) of the Constitution) - Loss of mandate by judicial decision (art. 84 (1) of the Constitution) - Loss of mandate for not attending sittings of Parliament (art. 84 (1) of the Constitution; see Participation in the work of Parliament) - General procedure (Art. 84 (1) and 85 of the Constitution) STATUS OF MEMBERS Rank in hierarchy · Within Parliament: 1. The President 2. The members of the Board 3. The other MPs Indemnities, facilities and services · Diplomatic passport · Basic salary + additional allowance (Art. 86 of the Constitution): $ 3,000 per month · No exemption from tax, except for travel allowances · Special pension scheme for MPs who have served for at least two years · Other facilities: (a) Secretariat (b) Advisers (c) Official housing (d) Official car for Chairmen of committees, members of the Bureau and Chairmen of the International Groups (e) 50 % discount for postal services, discount for telephone services (f) 50 % discount for travel and transport services Obligation to declare personal assets Yes Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Art. 83 (1) of the Constitution). · Parliamentary non-accountability applies to words spoken and written by MPs both within and outside Parliament. Exception. · Derogations: offence of Parliament (Art. ) · Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins. It does not offer, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate. Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Art. 83 (2) to (5) of the Constitution). · It applies to criminal and civil proceedings, covers all offences and protects MPs from arrest and from being held in preventive custody, from the opening of judicial proceedings against them and from their homes being searched. · Derogations: when a Member is caught in the act of committing a crime punishable by a heavy penalty, and in cases subject to Art. 14 of the Constitution if an investigation has been initiated before the election, the Assembly does not have to waive parliamentary immunity. However, the competent authority shall immediately and directly notify the Assembly. · Parliamentary inviolability does prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal. · Protection is provided from the start to the end of the mandate and also covers judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election. · Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (Art. 83 (2) of the Constitution): - Competent authority: the Turkish Grand National Assembly - Procedure (Art. 83 (2) to (5), Art. 85 of the Constitution). In this case, MPs must be heard. They do have means of appeal. · Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions. · Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members. · In the event of preventive custody or imprisonment, the MPs concerned can be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament . EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE Training · There is a training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs. · It is provided by the General Secretariat of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings · Penalties foreseen in case of failure to fulfil this obligation: loss of mandate (Art. 84 (1) of the Constitution) · Body competent to judge such cases/to apply the penalties: the Turkish Grand National Assembly Discipline · Disciplinary measures foreseen: - Order to leave the sitting - Order to present apologies · Specific cases: - Offence or insult - Absence at plenary sittings of Parliament (Art. 84 (1) of the Constitution; see Participation in the work of Parliament) · Competent body to judge such cases/to apply penalties: the Presidency of the Turkish Grand National Assembly · Procedure: - Order to leave the sitting - Order to present apologies - Absence at plenary sittings of Parliament (Art. 84 (1) of the Constitution; see Participation in the work of Parliament - penalties) Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system but there is one relevant provision (Art. 84 (1) of the Constitution · Penalties foreseen for violation of the rules of conduct: loss of mandate (Art. 84 (1) of the Constitution) · Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties: the Turkish Grand National Assembly · Procedure (Art. 84 (1) of the Constitution). In this case, MPs have means of recourse. Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are some legal provisions in this field (Art. 68 (5), and 69 (2) and (8) of the Constitution, Law of Political Parties; independence of political parties).

This page was last updated on 14 November 2008
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