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Politics

Government structure

Turkey is a parliamentary representative democracy with a President, currently Ahmet Necdet Sezer, at the head of state, elected in 2000 for a seven-year term. Executive power is given to the Prime Minister and the council of ministers that make up the government, while legislative power is given to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

Military rule

Turkey was largely kept out of World War II by its president at the time, Ismet Inönü. Inönü introduced multi-party politics to the country and Turkey’s historical first elections were held in 1950. Two prolonged periods of military rule followed, the second ending with elections in 1983, won by Turgut Özal and the Motherland Party. Martial law, however, still remained in force in many provinces until 1987. Turkey joined NATO in 1952 and, since the lifting of military rule, is a full and active member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Council of Europe, as well as an associate member of the EU.

The Cyprus issue

In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, asserting its right to protect the Turkish Cypriot minority. Turkey gained control of 30% of northern Cyprus and displaced some 180,000 Greek Cypriots. A UN-sponsored cease-fire was established on 22 July, and Turkish troops were permitted to remain in the north. Turkish Cypriots proclaimed a separate state under Rauf Denktash in the northern part of the island on November 15 1983, naming it the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” The issue of Cyprus continues to this day.

Politically stable

Turkey is now considered to be a politically stable country, despite ongoing disagreements with Greece over the divided island of Cyprus and various air and sea boundaries of the Aegean Sea. The Cyprus issue has been an ongoing problem for many years and has now become one of the main points of contention in Turkey’s accession negotiations with the EU. The Turkish government therefore has much interest in coming to a resolution with Greece; concerted efforts are being put into place to put an end to the dispute, while working at a diplomatic solution with Greece. Meanwhile, Greece is seen to actively support Turkey in its bid for EU accession.

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Documents and Reports

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Documents and Reports

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