Glossary
A short bilingual reference for the Turkish institutional and political vocabulary used throughout this site.
- Anayasa Mahkemesi [AYM]
- The Constitutional Court of Türkiye. Reviews the constitutionality of laws and Presidential Decrees and rules on individual applications alleging violations of fundamental rights.
- Cumhurbaşkanı
- President of the Republic. Since 2018 the sole holder of executive authority.
- Danıştay
- Council of State. The highest administrative court and adviser on draft regulations.
- Hakimler ve Savcılar Kurulu [HSK]
- Council of Judges and Prosecutors. Administers the careers of judges and prosecutors. Renamed in 2017 from Hakimler ve Savcılar Yüksek Kurulu (HSYK).
- İcra Vekilleri Heyeti
- The Committee of Executive Deputies — the executive committee of the Grand National Assembly during the War of Independence (1920–1923).
- Kanun Hükmünde Kararname [KHK]
- Decree-Law. Issued by the Council of Ministers under the pre-2018 system; replaced by Presidential Decrees in the post-2017 framework.
- Milli Güvenlik Kurulu [MGK]
- National Security Council. Advises the President on national security policy.
- Olağanüstü Hal [OHAL]
- State of emergency. Declared by the President; subject to TBMM approval and extension.
- Resmî Gazete
- The Official Gazette. The publication of record for laws, Presidential Decrees, and constitutional appointments.
- Sandık Kurulu
- Polling-station Committee. Conducts the voting and counting at a single ballot box on election day.
- Sayıştay
- Court of Accounts. Audits public revenues and expenditures on behalf of the TBMM.
- Siyasi Partiler Kanunu
- Law on Political Parties (Law No. 2820, 1983, as amended). Governs the formation, financing, and dissolution of parties.
- Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi [TBMM]
- Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. The unicameral parliament of 600 deputies.
- Uyuşmazlık Mahkemesi
- Court of Jurisdictional Disputes. Resolves jurisdictional and judgment conflicts between the judicial and administrative courts.
- Vali / Kaymakam
- Provincial Governor / District Governor. Senior officials of central administration in the province and district.
- Yargıtay
- Court of Cassation. The court of last resort for civil and criminal cases.
- Yüce Divan
- High Tribunal. The Constitutional Court sitting as a high criminal court to try the President, Vice Presidents, Ministers, and other senior officials.
- Yüksek Seçim Kurulu [YSK]
- Supreme Election Council. Administers and supervises elections; its decisions are final.