13.08.2026 07:30
After the Terror-Free Turkey law passed through Parliament, attention has turned to the trustee appointment practice in the new period. For this practice, which DEM Party and the New Party have particularly requested changes to, a formula is being considered where, instead of the central administration appointing a trustee to replace suspended mayors, the new president would be elected by the municipal council.
Following the approval of the law outlining the legal framework for the Türkiye without Terrorism process with 467 votes in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) General Assembly, politics has turned its attention to the democratization and legal steps to be taken in the new legislative year. Among the hottest topics on the table are revising the trustee practice, expanding freedom of expression, and renewing the election legislation.
'ASSEMBLY' MODEL INSTEAD OF 'TRUSTEE' IN MUNICIPALITIES
Trustee practices in local governments are among the most debated topics of the new period. While the DEM Party and the New Party demand the complete abolition of the practice, a notable interim formula was proposed in the report of the TBMM National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission.
According to the news in Türkiye newspaper; a trustee will not be appointed directly by the central administration to replace a suspended mayor. Instead, it is envisaged that the new president will be elected from within the municipal council. Although the framework law does not directly abolish the trustee practice for now, this issue is expected to be resolved within the scope of upcoming local government regulations. Additionally, reconsidering the situation of elected presidents previously removed from office is on the agenda.
'FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION' ADJUSTMENT IN CRIMINAL LEGISLATION
In the judicial wing of the democratization process, critical changes are planned in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and the Anti-Terror Law (TMK). In line with the commission report, the legislation is expected to be redesigned to strengthen freedom of expression. Especially removing non-violent actions from the scope of terrorist crimes and drawing the boundaries of freedom of expression more clearly and explicitly will be among the main discussion topics of the new period.
EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION FOR ECHR AND AYM DECISIONS
Another step to be taken towards the justice system in the new legislative year will concern the decisions of high courts. The necessary legal ground for the more effective and swift implementation of the decisions of the Constitutional Court (AYM) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in domestic law will be among the important topics of the democratization package.
ELECTION LAW AND POLITICAL PARTIES LEGISLATION ON THE TABLE
It is stated that the process will not be limited only to local governments and the judiciary, but will also cover political participation mechanisms. In this context, re-evaluating the Political Parties Law and the election legislation in order to expand the fields of activity of political parties and strengthen democratic participation stands out as one of the agenda items that will require the most intense work in the upcoming legislative year.