27.03.2025 18:22
The President's Chief Advisor, Mehmet Uçum, stated in a post on his social media account, "It is a constitutional duty and a requirement of citizenship for the President, as defined by constitutional provisions, to protect and show respect for the law."
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President's Chief Advisor Mehmet Uçum stated, "It is a constitutional duty and a requirement of citizenship for the President, who is appointed by constitutional provisions, to protect and respect the law."
Mehmet Uçum published a post on his social media account regarding the recent developments, reminding the public of certain points.
Uçum began his article titled "The Law of the President" with the following statements: "When transitioning to the Presidential Government System, unlike the parliamentary system, the President was not only defined as 'the head of the state.' The title of Head of State was also given to the President."
REMINDING OF CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
In his article, Uçum stated, "The arrangement is as follows: The President is the head of the state. The executive authority belongs to the President. The President represents the Republic of Turkey and the unity of the Turkish Nation with the title of Head of State; ensures the implementation of the Constitution and the orderly and harmonious functioning of state organs (Any. m. 104/1. and 2. f.).
Accordingly, the President is not only the head of the state but also the HEAD OF STATE. In essence, the President is both the President of the People (the Republic) and the President of the State. In other words, "The Will of the People Dominates the State."
As a result, the duty of ensuring the implementation of the Constitution and the orderly and harmonious functioning of all state organs has been assigned to the President by the Constitution. While in the old system, the President only had the duty of "supervision," in other words, oversight, now there is a duty of "ensuring," meaning an executive responsibility," he said.
"HAS THE AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE PERSPECTIVE TO LEGISLATION AND JUDICIARY"
Uçum wrote, "Therefore, the President of the Republic of Turkey has the duty and authority to provide perspective for the orderly and harmonious functioning of both the legislature and the judiciary, in addition to the executive duty." He added, "Moreover, the President determines national security policies and represents the Commander-in-Chief on behalf of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. In other words, the President is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Turkish Armed Forces. The authority to decide on the use of the Turkish Armed Forces lies with him (Any. m. 104/13, 14, and 15. f.).
According to the Constitution, the President, who is both the President of the People, the Head of State, and the Commander-in-Chief, also represents the Republic of Turkey and the unity of the Turkish Nation (Any. m. 104/2. f.).
The constitutional basis for President Erdoğan's role as the Country Leader, which we express from time to time, is these provisions. Those who will be elected as President after Erdoğan will not only be the political leader of a platform and the official and authority of the executive branch of the state but will also bear the responsibility of being the Country Leader. Because constitutionally, among other names and titles, the most important legal, political, and social consequence of representing the Republic of Turkey and being the Head of State is to act with the responsibility of being the Country Leader," he stated.
"RESPECT FOR THE PRESIDENT IS RESPECT FOR THE STATE"
Uçum continued: "In this case, showing respect to the President, who has the authority to guide all organs of the Republic of Turkey within constitutional limits, who has been elected by more than fifty percent of the votes of the people, and who also bears the responsibility of Country Leadership: Firstly, it is respect for the national will, which is the general will of the people. Secondly, it is respect for the will of the voters, which is the democratic will of the people. Thirdly, it is respect for the State. Fourthly, it is respect for those who will assume the presidency of the Republic of Turkey, regardless of which platform they are elected from in the future. Fifthly, and most importantly, it is a requirement of adhering to the Constitutional Order.
Therefore, respect for the President of the Republic of Turkey should be evaluated not through the internal struggles of current politics but through the 'General Functioning of the State.' Legally and politically, it is correct to show respect for the President everywhere.
Of course, criticism can be made regarding the activities and practices carried out by the President based on his executive duties and powers. This is a requirement of democracy and democratic political competition. However, it is absolutely unacceptable to cross the boundaries of the right to criticize and resort to illegal means such as disrespect, insults, and slander. Those who do this and those who encourage them will certainly be held accountable before the law and in the eyes of the public."
"RESPECT FOR THE PRESIDENT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY"
The President's Advisor concluded his article with the following statements: "As a result, from a constitutional perspective, the position of the President cannot be seen merely as an executive duty and authority (government or power) due to representing the Republic of Turkey and the unity of the Nation, and holding the titles of Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. The law of the President consists of all of these.
It is a constitutional duty and a requirement of citizenship for every citizen, of course, with the condition that the right to criticize remains, to protect and respect the law of the President, who is appointed by constitutional provisions."
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