Constitutional Powers of the President of the Republic: A Comparison of the 1982 and 2017 Amendments

This article examines the transformation of Turkey's government system, particularly through the lens of the President's constitutional powers in the context of the original 1982 Constitution and the radical amendments of 2017. The study analyzes the process that began with the election of the President by the people in 2007 and culminated in the transition to a Presidential System of Government with the 2017 constitutional referendum. While addressing the shift from the "soft separation of powers" in the parliamentary system to the "hard separation of powers" principle more akin to a presidential system, it details how this new system consolidates executive authority in a single entity and the new types of regulatory instruments it introduced (Presidential Decrees). The article compares the President's powers in the legislative, executive, and judicial spheres, highlighting the differences between the original text of the 1982 Constitution and the 2017 amendments. It specifically evaluates the abolition of the institutions of the Prime Ministry and the Council of Ministers, the changes in the President's political and criminal liability, and the effects on the powers of the Parliament. Furthermore, Turkey's Presidential System of Government is compared with France's semi-presidential system in terms of their fundamental similarities and differences, revealing how each system has been shaped within its own historical and political context. The study emphasizes the importance of the government system's role in ensuring political stability, arguing that the effectiveness of these systems depends on elements such as political culture and adherence to the rule of law. In conclusion, the article presents a critical perspective on the effects of these radical changes on Turkish political life and its constitutional structure.