TBMM

TBMM stands for Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. It is the unicameral national legislature of the Republic of Turkey and serves as the main lawmaking and oversight body. The Assembly is based in Ankara, in the Grand National Assembly Building.

The TBMM is composed of 600 members elected for four-year terms by proportional representation across 87 electoral districts. Deputies are elected to represent the Turkish electorate, and the body is presided over by a Speaker and Deputy Speakers elected by the Assembly.

Its core functions include drafting, debating, and enacting laws, approving the budget, and supervising the government. The Assembly can summon ministers, conduct inquiries, and consider motions of censure against ministers or the government. It also has constitutional prerogatives such as proposing amendments and ratifying international treaties, following constitutional procedures.

Bills usually originate with the government or with members, are reviewed in parliamentary commissions, and then are put to a vote in the General Assembly. Most legislation requires a majority of votes cast to pass. The TBMM also plays a key role in oversight, international agreements, and constitutional matters.

Since the 2017 constitutional reform and the subsequent elections, Turkey has operated under a presidential system in which the President is elected separately and holds major executive powers. The TBMM remains the principal legislature and a forum for accountability, lawmaking, and constitutional process.

The TBMM traces its origins to 1920 during the Turkish War of Independence and has been a central institution of the Turkish Republic, evolving through later constitutional developments.