Does President Erdogan want to take away the judicial power of the Constitutional Court?
The current state of the Turkish judicial system raises concerns about its performance and whether the justice mechanism in the country is functioning properly. Many respected experts, irrespective of their political affiliations, express dissatisfaction with the state of the judiciary.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s influence over the judicial system has significantly increased over time through appointments and elections, a fact acknowledged even by those who may support the current administration. There are growing claims that judicial bodies now await explicit instructions, as seen in various instances.
The Constitutional Court, at times, makes decisions that do not align with the preferences of the current government, causing significant discomfort. This has led to discussions about potential intentions to limit the power of the Constitutional Court.
Furthermore, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), a coalition partner with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has expressed discontent with the Constitutional Court for an extended period. The MHP leader has repeatedly called for the immediate closure of the Constitutional Court, indicating a strained relationship between the party and the judiciary.
The emerging situation suggests that if the government’s desired outcome prevails, and the Constitutional Court is shut down, there will be no barriers for the government, particularly the President, to take any necessary steps. Turkey appears to be navigating towards even more precarious waters, moving away from democracy towards the unknown.
