What type of government does Turkey have?

Turkey is a presidential republic since the 2018 constitutional changes. The president is both head of state and head of government, with broad executive powers including issuing decrees and appointing ministers without parliamentary approval.

Who is the current president of Turkey?

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been President of Turkey since 2014. Before that, he served as prime minister from 2003 to 2014. He won re-election in May 2023.

What are the main political parties in Turkey?

The Justice and Development Party (AKP, conservative Islamist) is the ruling party. The main opposition is the Republican People's Party (CHP, secular centre-left). Other significant parties include MHP (nationalist), HDP/DEM (pro-Kurdish), and IYI Party (centre-right).

How did Turkey change from a parliamentary to a presidential system?

A 2017 constitutional referendum, approved with 51.4% of the vote, eliminated the prime minister role and transferred executive power to the president. The changes took full effect after the 2018 elections.

What happened in the 2023 Turkish elections?

Erdogan won a presidential runoff against opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu with 52.2% of the vote, while the AKP-led alliance retained its parliamentary majority.

Key political offices in Turkey include President of Turkey. These offices shape how executive, legislative, and judicial authority is exercised in the country.

Asia

Turkey Political System & Government Explained

country in West Asia and Southeast Europe

Wikimedia Commons image of Turkey.
Jorge Franganillo from Barcelona, Spain · CC BY 2.0 · Source

Quick Facts

Population: approximately 85.4 million
Ankara is the capital of this unitary state
164 political parties recorded
1 political office tracked
1 political institution mapped

Capital

Ankara

Government

unitary state

Population

85.4 million

System Snapshot

The fastest way to understand how authority is arranged before you dive into timelines and entities.

Government Type: unitary state

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Party competition

Browse 164 connected parties and follow their role in the system.

Institutions and offices

Explore the 2 institutions and offices where authority is formally exercised.

At a Glance

Governed from Ankara, Turkey is a unitary state in Asia. With a population of approximately 85.4 million, it occupies a distinct place in the region's political landscape.

Turkey's political landscape includes 164 political parties and 1 office.

Instant Answer

Verdict: Turkey transitioned from a parliamentary to a presidential system in 2018, concentrating executive power in the presidency under Erdogan.

Turkey is a presidential republic following a 2017 constitutional referendum that abolished the office of prime minister. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds executive power and has governed since 2003 (as PM until 2014, then as president). The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) is a unicameral parliament with 600 seats.

This page covers Turkey's transition to presidentialism, the AKP's dominance, the role of the Grand National Assembly, and the state of opposition politics.

Power Snapshot

Turkey has NATO's second-largest military by personnel and a rapidly growing domestic defense industry.

Turkey

Military Strength: Very High
Defense Budget: ~$29 billion
Active Personnel: ~355,000
Global Influence: High

Key insight: Turkey has NATO's second-largest military by personnel and a growing domestic defense industry, making it a key power at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Defense spending uses SIPRI-backed 2024 estimates; personnel uses IISS-backed counts.

Keep Exploring

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

See the profile of Turkey's president and dominant political figure.

AKP

Explore Turkey's ruling party and its two-decade hold on power.

Turkish Elections

Track Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections.

Turkey Political System

See how the presidency, Grand National Assembly, and judiciary interact.

Political Parties

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Wikipedia Wikidata

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of government does Turkey have?: Turkey is a presidential republic since the 2018 constitutional changes. The president is both head of state and head of government, with broad executive powers including issuing decrees and appointing ministers without parliamentary approval.
Who is the current president of Turkey?: Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been President of Turkey since 2014. Before that, he served as prime minister from 2003 to 2014. He won re-election in May 2023.
What are the main political parties in Turkey?: The Justice and Development Party (AKP, conservative Islamist) is the ruling party. The main opposition is the Republican People's Party (CHP, secular centre-left). Other significant parties include MHP (nationalist), HDP/DEM (pro-Kurdish), and IYI Party (centre-right).
How did Turkey change from a parliamentary to a presidential system?: A 2017 constitutional referendum, approved with 51.4% of the vote, eliminated the prime minister role and transferred executive power to the president. The changes took full effect after the 2018 elections.
What happened in the 2023 Turkish elections?: Erdogan won a presidential runoff against opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu with 52.2% of the vote, while the AKP-led alliance retained its parliamentary majority.
Who leads Turkey?: Key political offices in Turkey include President of Turkey. These offices shape how executive, legislative, and judicial authority is exercised in the country.

Connections

Parties

party

Alternative and Change Party

political party in Turkey

Turkey Political System & Government Explained

Quick Facts

System Snapshot

Dig Deeper

Party competition

Institutions and offices

At a Glance

Power Snapshot

Turkey

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Political Parties

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Government

Political System

Parties

Offices

Institutions

Politicians

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Parties

Alternative and Change Party

Alternative Party

Anatolia Party

Anti-capitalist Party

AS Party

Bolshevik Party

Bright Turkey Party

Centre Party

Citizen's Party

Communist Labour Party of Turkey

Communist Labour Party of Turkey/Leninist

Communist Movement of Turkey

Communist Party of Kurdistan

Communist Party of Turkey (1920)

Communist Party of Turkey-Marxist–Leninist

Communist Party of Turkey – Revolutionary Wing

Communist Party of Turkey

Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist – Hareketi

Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist

Communist Workers Party of Turkey

Conservative Ascension Party

Crescent Star Party

Democracy and Progress Party

Democracy Party

Democracy Time Party

Democrat Party

Democrat Turkey Party

Democratic Center Party

Democratic Left Party

Democratic Left People's Party

Democratic Party

Democratic People's Party

Democratic Progress Party

Democratic Regions Party

Democratic Society Party

Devrimci Karargâh

Electronic Democracy Party

Equality and Democracy Party

Felicity Party

Free Cause Party

Free Democrat Party

Freedom and Democracy Party

Freedom and Equality Party

Freedom and Socialism Party

Future Party (Turkey)

Gezi Party

Great Anatolia Party

Great Turkey Party

Great Unity Party

Green Party (Turkey, 1988)

Hearth Party

Hereketa İslamiya Kurdistan

Homeland Party