The Local government system in Turkey was came into force in the mid 1800s and it was continued until today. In today, Turkey's Administrative units are composed as Central administration, local governments and other institutions and organizations. Turkey is a centralized unitary state and has got a central government that is the decision making body of state. The main structure of state is Central administration. Socio-economic and political issues are discussed and made general decisions and implemented the policies of state by Central administration.

The 127 th article of the Constitution defines local authorities as follows: “ Local administrative bodies are public corporate entities established to meet the common local needs of the inhabitants of provinces, municipal districts and villages, whose decision making organs are elected by the electorate described in law, and whose principles of structure are also determined by law. The formation, duties and powers of the local authorities shall be regulated by law in accordance with the principle of decentralization.”  

In 2005, “Local Government Reform” in Turkey. The tasks-duties, functions, powers and liabilities of local authorities were determined in the Municipal Law , 5393 number law dated 03.07.2005. The object of this law is to regulate establishment, organs and management of municipalities as well as working procedures and principles, functions, powers and responsibilities of the same.

As a result of the “Local Government Reform”, the functions, tasks and duties of local authorities and characters of administration was changed, in this way, the number of the public participation to local governance and effective of the public on local authority was increased. Article 8 concerning regulation of municipal mergers and community joining to established municipal administrations. The system is regulated in the formal Municipal Act (1580/1930).

Municipalities has some relations in social with their neighborhoods as called mahalle in Turkish. In Turkey Local Government system, the neighborhoods (mahalle) are not accepted as a local governmental bodies. That relationship was re-organized in article 9. According to the new regulation, neighborhood administrations can be more efficient on the local government. Municipality meets common socio-cultural needs of neighborhoods and it gives more important to neighborhoods wishes in its decisions. With the regulations, neighborhoods is more supported by municipality and they are going to take a decision on residents expectations on municipal services. In the 13 article of the law, local residents have a right to participate municipal decisions and municipal services and they will be informed about municipal functions. Members of the NGO's, participation of universities and specialists confirms to decisional process of municipal adminstration in social and cultural awards.

Local authorities has a council that is composed of members elected by residents. “Municipal Council” is an important and effective organ of municipality which is the decision taking body.

As you see in the new act, participatory democracy is a priority concept on decision making body of municipality. City council is a main institutional context that is organized in article 76 of the Municipal Act.

According to article 76 “ City Council shall be responsible from promotion of urbanization and fellow-citizenship vision, preservation of the rights of the inhabitants and materializing the rules stipulating developmental consistency, environmental care, social solidarity, transparency, participation in management and stable operation of control mechanism.

The Municipalities shall provide the necessary assistance and support to the City Council to enable performance of above listed activities effectively in cooperation with professional groups in the status of public institution, trade unions, notaries, universities (if any), concerned non-governmental organizations, political parties, public institutions and corporations, representatives of executive officers of parish and other authorized bodies taking part in the city council.

The opinions declared by the City Council shall be put on the agenda and assessed during the first meeting of the Municipal Council. Working principles and procedures of the city council shall be determined with a regulation to be prepared by the Ministry of Interior.”

It is a new body of municipal administration and it consists the chambers of trade and industry, labor unions, public notaries, universities, NGOs, political parties, other local public organizations, neighborhood administrations and other interested residents. City Council takes decision and they are put on the municipal council agenda. The City Council's efforts and operations are supported by municipal administration for its effectiveness.

Article 77 is related voluntary participation to municipal services. Local Government organizes social and cultural activities concerned health, education, sports, environment, social works, libraries, parks , traffic and cultural services and services for senior citizens, women and children, handicapped people, and poors.

2006, Palabiyik and Yavas, “Legislative Reforms on Local Governments in Turkey Still Going on: Participatory Perspectives in the Municipal Act of 2005 Numbered 5393”

Municipality Performance

Budgets & Spending

Meetings&Public Involvement
• Youth Council
• Meeting Schedule

City Meetings
• Meetings With Ward Officers (Muhtars)
• ‘My City' Meetings

Document Library
• 2005 Municipal Law, numbered 5393

Publications

Elections Overview
• Past Local Election Results
• 2004 Election Result

Links:
• Associations of Local Authorities
• The Union of Municipalities
• Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality