09.07.2026 20:32
Chief Advisor to the President Mehmet Uçum, in an assessment penned for the 8th anniversary of the Presidential Government System's effective implementation, stated that the 50%+1 requirement forces parties toward inclusive policies and 'virtually shattered' the secular-conservative opposition, while pointing to the new constitution process as the address for aspects of the system that need improvement.
Presidential Chief Advisor and Vice President of the Presidential Law Policies Board Mehmet Uçum penned an evaluation on the 8th anniversary of the implementation of the Presidential Government System.
"50%+1" RULE AND THE NEW CONSTITUTION
Listing the gains of the system, which came into effect on July 9, 2018, compared to the parliamentary model, Uçum gave clear messages regarding the controversial "50%+1" rule and the goals of a new constitution.
Stating that the direct election of the president by the people places voter will at the center of the system, Uçum expressed that the 50%+1 requirement forces political parties to develop more inclusive policies towards different segments of society. Mehmet Uçum argued that this rule effectively "shattered" the social tensions and especially the secular-conservative divide that were previously attempted to be generated through politics.
"THERE ARE ASPECTS THAT NEED IMPROVEMENT"
In his article, Uçum also conducted an analysis of the 2023 General Elections, stating that the opposition's goal to return to the parliamentary system was not accepted by the voters. However, drawing attention to the dynamic structure of the current system, Uçum also emphasized that there are aspects of the Presidential Government System that need improvement. Pointing to the new constitution process for reform and update steps in this regard, Uçum stated that further steps could be taken with the new constitution to further develop and enhance the system.
The full text of Uçum's article published on social media is as follows:
"THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS ARE A GREAT LESSON FOR THOSE WHO SEE THE SYSTEM AS 'PROBLEMATIC'"
"Eight years ago, on July 9, 2018, the presidential model began to be implemented in Turkey. Our people approved the constitutional amendment enabling the transition to the presidential model in the referendum on April 16, 2017. The first elections of the new system were held on June 24, 2018. Just two weeks after the elections, the presidential model started operating on July 9, 2018.
In 2023, during the system's second elections held on May 14 and 28, a second-round experience was also witnessed. Government formation crises, frequently encountered in the parliamentary system, disappeared. In both terms, once the president was elected, the government was formed and started working without any loss of time.
With the opposition, which declared the May 2023 elections as elections for a return to the parliamentary system, losing both the presidential and parliamentary elections, the voters rejected the return. The 2023 general election results are a great lesson for those who see the system as 'problematic'. These factions are actually in favor of limited democracy. They advocate for institutional sovereignty that keeps the people's will under control. Our people did not allow these anti-democratic approaches targeting their own will.
"IT HAS MANY ADVANTAGES OVER THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM"
The presidential model, known as the Presidential (Government) System in Turkey, has many advantages over the parliamentary system in terms of democratic legitimacy and strong execution: The people establish the government by electing the president in the first or second round; they become decisive by directly electing both members of parliament and the president, thus having the power of two votes in the functioning of the political system; it meets the need for a strong executive, essential especially for nation-states today; higher efficiency in decision-making processes; strengthened collective work and increased productivity; and much more successful time management of the government are some of the prominent features of the presidential system.
"IT LITERALLY SHATTERED THE SECULAR-CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION"
In this model, the election of the president with over fifty percent of the vote in the first or second round has also played a very important role as a norm of social and political assurance. Due to the 50%+1 rule, every ambitious party, regardless of its position on the political spectrum, has begun to see developing an inclusive policy towards all segments of society as a democratic necessity.
The 50%+1 rule literally shattered the conflicts that were previously attempted to be generated in society through politics, and especially the secular-conservative divide. Now, all major actor parties are developing policies to appeal to every segment of society. They are undertaking legal regulation initiatives, as seen with the freedom of the headscarf.
"THOSE WHO PRACTICE REPRESENTATIVE POLITICS INSTEAD OF PEOPLE-BASED POLITICS MOSTLY LOSE"
From time to time, the 50%+1 rule has been subject to debate. When this rule is considered based on the needs of the people and inclusive democratic politics rather than political representatives, it provides a superior benefit. Ultimately, democratic politics is not an activity done for its own sake (a thing in itself). The actors of democratic politics are representatives of the people; they do politics for the people, and they must do it for the people. What matters is demand politics, politics based on the needs and demands of the people. The opposing thesis often throws political actors to the point of doing politics despite the people. Therefore, those who practice representative politics (thesis politics) instead of people-based politics (demand politics) mostly lose.
Indeed, practice shows that those who prefer and correctly implement people-based politics are generally much more successful in democratic competition. The political practice of President Erdoğan, the most successful leader of people-based politics, is very striking evidence of this.
"IT CAN BE ANTICIPATED THAT FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN ON THIS MATTER WITH A NEW CONSTITUTION"
Of course, there are also aspects of the Presidential Government System that need to be developed and enhanced. It can be anticipated that further steps will be taken on this matter with a new constitution.
On this occasion, happy eighth anniversary of the implementation of the Presidential (Government) System, which strengthens Turkey, develops our democracy, increases the power of the people, and makes voter will decisive in the functioning of the democratic system.