According to the Constitution, the exercise of the executive power is vested in and is used by the President and the Council of Ministers.

Click here for a list of Presidents of the Republic of Turkey.

The President

The President, who is Head of State, represents the Republic of Turkey and the unity of the Turkish Nation. The President oversees the workings of the Constitution and ensures that the organs of the state function in an orderly and harmonious manner. He is elected for a one-time term of seven years either from among the members of the TGNA or from among those who are Turkish citizens of over 40 years of age and eligible to be elected to the TGNA, from among persons who have completed standard education.

The duties and authority of the President with respect to legislation are:

• In the event that he deems it necessary, to deliver the opening speech on the first day of the legislative year
• To summon the Turkish Grand National Assembly to session
• To publish laws
• To return laws to the Assembly for reconsideration
• If he deems it necessary, to present laws related to changes in the Constitution to public referendums
• Should the whole or some of the provisions of laws, decrees with the power of law or Grand National Assembly internal regulations be considered to be in violation of the terms of the Constitution in term or in content, to file a suit with the Constitutional Court to the repeal of such laws, decrees or regulations
• To decide upon renewal of parliamentary elections

The duties and authorities of the President in the exercise of executive power are:

• To appoint the Prime Minister or to accept his resignation
• Upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister, to appoint or remove Ministers to and from office
  In the event that he deems this necessary, to chair the meeting of the Council of Ministers, or to summon the Council to meet under his chairmanship
• To appoint accredited envoys to represent the Turkish State in foreign countries and to receive the representatives of foreign states to the Republic of Turkey
• To ratify and publish international agreements
• To represent the Commander-in-Chief of the Turkish Armed Forces on behalf of the Turkish Grand National Assembly
• To decide upon the use of the Turkish Armed Forces
• To appoint the Chief of General Staff
• To summon the National Security Council to convene and to chair the meetings of the Council
• To proclaim martial law or impose state of emergency by decree to be deiced by the Council of Ministers meeting under this Chairmanship, and to issue Decrees with the Power of Law
• To approve Decrees as signatory
• To commute or pardon the sentences of certain convicts on the grounds of old age, chronic illness or infirmity
• To appoint the members and President of the State Auditory Council
• To conduct investigations, inquiries and research through the State Auditory Council
• To select the members of the Higher Education Council
• To appoint University Chancellors
  

Duties and authority of the President related to the Judiciary consist of appointing the members of the Constitutional Court, one fourth of the members of Council of State, the Chief and Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of the Supreme Military Administrative Tribunal and the members of the Supreme Council of Judges and Public Prosecutors.

All decrees, with the exception of those with which the President is specifically empowered by the Constitution or by other laws to sign singly without need for the co-signature of the Prime Minster and the related Minister, must be co-signed by the Prime Minister and the related Minister. The Prime Minister and the related Minister shall be held accountable for these decrees.

No appeal may be made to any legal body, including the Constitutional Court, against the decrees and presidential orders signed directly by the President of the Republic.

The Prime Minister

The Prime Minister is responsible for ensuring that the Council functions in a harmonious manner as well as for coordination between the Ministries. The 1982 Constitution has not only strengthened the powers of the President but those of the Prime Minister as well.

According to the Constitution, each Minister is accountable to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister ensures that the Ministers fulfill their functions in accordance with the Constitution and the laws, and he is vested with the obligation to take corrective measures for this very reason.

The President may dismiss Ministers upon the proposal of the Prime Minister.

Even as the Council of Ministers bear collective responsibility for the implementation of the general policies of the government, they are also individually responsible for action within the domain of their jurisdictions and for the acts and actions of their subordinates. The political responsibilities of the Ministers emerge as the result of parliamentary motion of interpellation or a motion for no-confidence.

The Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers which is politically accountable to the Legislature is composed of the Prime Minister and the ministers. The Prime Minister is selected by the President. The ministers are selected by the Prime Minister and all are appointed by the President.

While the ministers are not required to be deputies, the Prime Minister must be a member of Parliament.

As a tradition in the Turkish parliamentary system, the President appoints the ministers who are selected by the Prime Minister. In practice, the Presidents either approve the list presented to them for ratification as it is, or else they make changes to the list as they see fit.

Although the Constitution does not specify any period, the President is able to decide upon renewal of elections under certain circumstances and in the event the Council of Ministers is not formed within a period of 45 days.

Following the appointment of the Ministers by the President, the list is presented to the Grand National Assembly; the Council of Ministers assume office without waiting for a vote of confidence.

Any disagreement which may arise following the submission of the list to the Grand National Assembly or after the government receives the vote of confidence is resolved between the Assembly and the Council of Ministers in the manner provided for in the Constitution.

The Turkish Grand National Assembly may cause the government to fall by vote of no-confidence, and the President has the power to seek renewal of the elections under certain conditions.

The formation or abolition of Ministries, the exercise of authority and the regulation of organization are subject to the enactment of laws.

The present Coalition Government (DSP-MHP-ANAP) has received a vote of confidence on June 9, 1999.

Turkey's 57th government, headed by Mr.Bulent ECEVIT, Prime Minister, Chairman of the Democratic Left Party

The 57^th Government / Members of the Cabinet

Contact information for the offices of these Ministers:

The Government Program and Vote of Confidence

The government program must be read by either the Prime Minister or a Minister in Parliament, at the latest within one week following the presentation of the list showing the composition of the Council of Ministers to the Assembly, and to seek the vote of confidence.

It is mandatory to receive a vote of confidence to apply the government program.

Debates upon the government program commence two full days after the reading of the program and the vote is taken one full day after the debates have been completed.

The vote of confidence is taken by absolute majority of those present but this may not be less than one fourth of the total number of deputies.
The Prime Minister is able to ask Parliament for another vote of confidence after the government has started to function following the vote of confidence.

The fundamental duty of the Council of Ministers is to formulate and implement the internal and foreign policies of the nation. The Council is accountable to Parliament in the conduct of this duty.
The Constitution has especially provided for an expansion in this area whereby the executive may regulate its affairs and consequently has facilitated its exercise of this power.

The Constitution has redefined the procedure for the issue of decrees with the force of law and it has expanded the scope of its application, removing the need to indicate in the Authorization Law which of the rules of law are no longer applicable in any particular instance. The resignation or fall of the Council of Ministers or the end of the legislative term do not cancel the authority given, albeit even for a set period of time.

The Council of Ministers, meeting under the Chairmanship of the President under state of emergency or when martial law is proclaimed, has the right to issue decrees with force of law without the need to obtain the authorization of Parliament.

Program of the 57th Government

Turkey continues to be a guarantee for peace and stability in its region and in the world. Our country is a defender of democracy, secularism, contemporary values and human rights and fundamental freedoms including gender equality. These qualities which form the basis of our republic, shall be the guiding principles in our foreign relations.

We shall continue to diligently pursue our peace oriented foreign policy in international relations; the potential of our country to become a regional power shall be enhanced through the establishment of multilateral and balanced relations with the countries in our region, as well as with countries outside the region.

The fundamental condition that we will seek in our relations with any foreign country or international organization will be the avoidance of support for separatist terror in our country.

We shall be sensitive towards the protection of the rights and interests, within the framework of international law, of our citizens working and living in other countries. While the way will be cleared for these citizens to fully contribute to the economic and social development of Turkey, the obstacles to their being able to vote in elections shall be overcome speedily.

We shall continue good intentioned and constructive initiatives aiming to resolve through dialogue the problems with Greece, giving priority to the ones relating to the Aegean. Therefore, we expect above all our neighbor Greece to a take definite attitude in the struggle against terrorism, including the PKK, and that the shadow of "European Union" is not cast upon our relations.

We will continue to pursue with determination our policies regarding the protection and promotion of the acquired rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Today, in Cyprus two separate states exist. The "confederation" proposal of the TRNC constitutes the most realistic path leading to a mutually acceptable settlement on the Island, and is supported by our Government.

The full membership of Turkey in the European Union is its right emanating from history, geography and treaties. We will make an effort for the realization of Turkey's goal to become a full member of the European Union with equal rights and status as other members. Turkey, in the course of realizing her objective of taking its place in the integration process of Europe, will continue to safeguard its national rights and interests. In this context, we shall be receptive to opportunities and developments that could provide momentum in our relations with the European Union. As in the political and economic spheres, Turkey will display a determined approach to participate fully and equally in European and Transatlantic structures and entities in the area of security and defense.

We shall take effective steps to eliminate the disadvantages that have emerged in the implementation of the Customs Unions. Turkey's traditional strategic importance and influence have become even more pronounced in light of the recent developments in the Balkans, Caucasia, Central Asia, Black Sea, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. Turkey has become a key country on this axis which can be defined as the Eurasian process. Our government is determined to evaluate the responsibilities and opportunities created by this position from the standpoint of our national interest.

Our government will pursue an active and stable policy aimed a developing cooperation with the Turkic Republics in the economic, social, cultural and political fields.

While paying a special importance to regional relations, in particular with regard to Balkan and Middle Eastern countries, initiatives launched to develop our relations with countries in all continents will continue.

The further development and enhancement of our relations with the United States of America, based on ties of friendship and alliance, is among the goals of my government.

Care will be given to develop multi-dimensional relations with the People's Republic of China.

Our relations with our neighbor the Russian Federation continue to be important and we shall strive to develop the possibilities of cooperation with Russia both on bilateral and multilateral levels. The economic strengthening of a democratic Russia will constitute a development conforming to Turkey's expectations.

The territorial integrity and national unity of Iraq is of vital importance for Turkey. My government deems it necessary that the Iraqi administration demonstrates an attitude that will ensure this, and that the international community will be in a position to facilitate it.

We support the efforts and initiatives for ensuring Armenia's withdrawal from the territory it has occupied and making peace with Azerbaijan. Peace will open the way for all kinds of cooperation among the countries of the Caucasian region.

Turkey will continue to fulfill the responsibility falling on itself for the establishment of enduring stability in the Balkans. In this respect, we shall continue to show close interest to our relations with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Similarly, our government, conscious of the responsibility created by historical and cultural closeness, shall continue with its efforts, on the one hand within the NATO Alliance, and on the other, as a regional country both multilaterally and on a bilateral basis, for stopping the tyranny in Kosovo and for the achievement of a just peace.

Our relations with Arab nations will maintain their traditionally special significance, and we will attach importance to the development of our relations with the Islamic countries.

In an international environment with increased problems, the responsibility and activities in the foreign policy and foreign relations area of Turkey, whose position has attained a global significance, have increased and will continue to increase. Our openings towards Africa, Latin America and the Far East will provide Turkey with new opportunities.