Parliamentary committees in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (2002–2020)

Abstract

Committees have been a component of the parliamentary structure in Turkey since the first short-lived Ottoman parliament of 1876. Structurally, the number of committees is fixed; most have a standard size, specialization, and permanent tenure for membership. Committees mostly deal with law-making, a few exercise oversight only, and some have mixed functions. Although the committees determine their agendas, due to the disciplined party structure, committee chairpersons act under the guidance of their party groups. Committees may approve, change, or reject bills, yet cannot initiate a bill. Participation of experts from public institutions, civil society organizations, and scientific institutions is possible but not effective. Establishing ad hoc oversight committees such as parliamentary inquiry and parliamentary investigation (criminal liability of the executive) committees is subject to numerical criteria, therefore, almost impossible in a majoritarian-oriented parliament. Enabling minority parties to play an effective role in the committees requires amendments to the rules of procedure (RoP) which further strengthens the checks-and-balances mechanism in the current sui generis presidential system.