President of the Republic of Turkey Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanı |
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Presidential Standard
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Residence | Presidential Complex |
Term length | Five years, renewable once |
Inaugural holder | Mustafa Kemal Atatürk |
Formation | October 29, 1923 |
Website | https://www.tccb.gov.tr/ |
The President of the Republic of Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanı) is the head of state of the Republic of Turkey. In this capacity, the President represents the Republic of Turkey, and the unity of the Turkish nation, as well as ensuring the implementation of the Constitution of Turkey and the organized and harmonious functioning of the organs of state. The articles from 101 to 106 of the Constitution establish all the requirements, election, duties, and responsibilities for the office of the President. The office of the President of Turkey was established with the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. The President of Turkey is often informally referred to as the Cumhurbaşkanı, meaning 'President of the People'. The current office-holder is the 12th President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan since August 28, 2014.
For most of the time since 1950, the Presidency has been mostly a ceremonial office. However, in a 2017 referendum, the Turkish people narrowly voted to make the Presidency an executive post, effective with the 2019 presidential election.
There are two living former Turkish Presidents:
In order to become the President of Turkey, the candidate must have completed higher education, and be at least forty years of age. If they are a member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, they must resign their seat.
Turkish presidents were in the past required to sever all relations, if any, with their political party.
The election of the President must begin at least 30 days before the term of office of the incumbent president expires or 10 days after the presidency falls vacant, and must be completed within 30 days of the beginning of the election. Candidates must be declared to the bureau of the parliament within the first 10 days of this period, and elections must be completed within the remaining 20 days.
Formerly, the President was elected by the members of the Turkish Parliament. According to an amendment that was drafted in 2007, the future Presidents shall be elected by the citizens through a public vote. The candidates must be over forty years old and must have completed their higher education. They can either be members of the Turkish Parliament, or common Turkish citizens who fulfill these requirements and who are eligible to become members of parliament.