A New Model Proposal for the Parliamentary Elections in Turkey

Electoral systems are a set of rules determining how elections be held and seats be distributed in the parliament while elections are to represent citizens in parliament equally in modern democratic societies. Different electoral systems have functioned in Turkey since multiparty politics was introduced in 1946. Currently, the d’Hondt system, suitable for cross-party electoral alliances with a 10% threshold, is in use. The objective of this study is to present an electoral system ensures just representation with regard to parliamentary elections in the Presidential Government System (PGS) while giving an account of the electoral systems and their characteristics implemented until today. In this context, this study first examines the electoral systems and their basic functions, and then the electoral systems applied in Turkey were discussed in chronological order. The “alliance” arrangement, firstly implemented in the general and presidential elections held on 24 June 2018, is another aspect explored in this study. In addition, we assess some aspects of the current Turkish electoral system not compatible with democracy and fair representation from different perspectives. Conclusively, the study using a qualitative method presents a new model proposal to be applied in Turkish Electoral System.