Government

Turkey has been a republic since 1923. Under the constitution of the Third Republic (1982), executive power is vested in the president, legislative power in the National Assembly, and judicial power in independent courts.

The president (head of state) is chosen by the Grand National Assembly for a seven-year term. He is assisted by a state advisory council, composed of former presidents and military chiefs of staff. From among the Grand National Assembly, the president appoints a prime minister (head of government). The Council of Ministers (cabinet) is formed by ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the president.

The Grand National Assembly is composed of 550 deputies popularly elected for five-year terms. The president has the power to dissolve the Grand National Assembly and rule under emergency powers.

The judicial system consists of civil, administrative, military, and constitutional courts. The regular civil courts include courts of first instance (courts having original jurisdiction), central criminal courts, and commercial courts. The highest tribunal is the court of cassation, which is a court of appeals. The Constitutional Court of Turkey determines the legality of laws passed by the legislature.

There is universal suffrage in Turkey. Voting is by secret ballot.

Turkey is divided into 81 provinces it calls ils, each named for its chief city. An il is subdivided into ilces, and these in turn into bucaks. At the head of each il are a governor, representing the central government, and an elected council.

Turkey maintains a regular army, navy, and air force. In addition, there is the Jandarma, a rural police force. Military service is compulsory for all men after the age of 20 for a 20-month period. The Turkish military has a high status, having the power to overrule, in effect, certain government decisions.