04.01.2026 16:43
The number of applications received by the Turkish Grand National Assembly's Petition Commission has reached approximately 29,000. Among the applications, demands such as changing the name of the gendarmerie to "lifeline," ensuring that women receive basic military training, and allowing non-smoking personnel to leave work earlier stood out.
In the Parliament, one of the three committees where individual applications can be made is the Petition Committee, and the number of applications received so far in the 28th Legislative Term has reached approximately 29 thousand. The committee that examines the petitions and complaints submitted to the Parliament received the most applications in the fields of labor and social security, justice services, education, and financial transactions. Among the applications sent to the committee, there were also interesting and noteworthy requests.
"REQUEST TO ABOLISH THE YKS"
A citizen requested the complete abolition of the Higher Education Institutions Exam and that university placements be made without an exam.
Another person who applied to the committee stated that the process of collecting stray dogs in shelters by municipalities was insufficient and that associations collecting donations without permission negatively affected this process, requesting the closure of these associations and the prevention of unauthorized fundraising and feeding animals on the streets.
"NON-SMOKING STAFF SHOULD LEAVE WORK EARLY"
Some of the interesting or noteworthy requests received by the Petition Committee are as follows:
"The declaration of the month of Ramadan as an official holiday, the determination of an annual leave period of 15 to 20 days for teachers, the renaming of the gendarmerie to 'lifeline', the legal regulation to ensure that women receive basic military training, non-smoking staff leaving work earlier, the abolition of the rule that four wrong answers cancel one correct answer in open education exams at universities, the regulation of Starlink usage in Turkey, lowering the passing score in driving tests below 70, and preventing the broadcast of events involving violence, fights, and conflicts on television."
A person who applied to the committee also requested a legal regulation for every citizen to plant at least 5 saplings per year.
"WE ARE BUILDING THE FUTURE TOGETHER WITH THE EXPECTATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS OF OUR CITIZENS"
The Chairman of the Petition Committee and AK Party Adana Deputy Sunay Karamık stated in a statement that they work with the awareness that every voice expressed by the public is a contribution that strengthens democracy.
Emphasizing that the right to petition is not only an individual application method but also one of the most effective tools for citizens' participation in governance and for conveying societal expectations to the Parliament, Karamık continued his remarks as follows:
"The petitions reaching our Committee during this period have created an important data source for us by reflecting the problems and expectations from different segments of society. The requests expressed by our citizens, ranging from their daily lives to public services, have illuminated our solution processes and reinforced our determination to further strengthen democratic participation. In line with the opportunities offered by digitalization, the increase in applications made through the E-Government has significantly enhanced the accessibility and effectiveness of the right to petition. Our committee has contributed to the development of the E-Democracy understanding with its pioneering works in this transformation, encouraging our citizens' direct participation in governance."
Karamık stated that subcommittees have also conducted in-depth research and solution-oriented studies in certain areas during the term, saying, "We will continue to raise awareness among our citizens regarding the right to petition. We are growing participatory democracy together; we are building the future together with the expectations and suggestions of our citizens."