# Politics Current political developments and analyses - **Source:** [The Economist — This Week](https://www.economist.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-30 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a781f6f8-adcf-4048-910e-f264d0598e91 ## Fundamentals of Politics Politics encompasses the processes and decisions that determine how a society is governed. There are various forms of government like democracy, monarchy, and authoritarian regimes. Turkey transitioned from a parliamentary system to a presidential one via the 2017 referendum. Political science studies these processes and their impacts. ## Turkish Political History Turkey's political history traces back to the Ottoman Empire. The republic was proclaimed in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's leadership. Multi-party system began in 1946. Military interventions occurred in 1960, 1971, 1980, and 2016. The AK Party has been in power continuously since 2002. ## Political Parties Turkey has multiple political parties including AK Party, CHP, İYİ Party, MHP, and HDP. Parties must surpass the 7% election threshold. Six parties formed alliances in the 2023 elections. Youth and women's branches of parties conduct significant activities. ## Election Systems General elections in Turkey occur every five years. The president and parliament members are elected on the same day. The threshold system and electoral districts affect representation fairness. The Supreme Election Council (YSK) oversees the process. Sealed envelopes are used for election security. ## Foreign Policy Turkey's foreign policy is shaped by NATO membership and EU candidacy. It plays active roles in Syria, Libya, and Eastern Mediterranean. The country maintains balanced relations with Russia and the US. Migration policies and counterterrorism are among priority issues. ## Economic Policies There's a strong link between politics and economy. Interest rates, inflation, and exchange rate policies influence voter choices. Public tenders and incentives alter economic balances. Inflation reached 64% in 2023, prompting Central Bank rate hikes. ## Local Governments Municipalities and neighborhood administrations are pillars of local politics. Metropolitan municipalities of Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir stand out with their budgets. CHP won most metropolitan municipalities in 2019 local elections. Local governments are closer to citizens' daily issues. ## Future of Politics Youth participation in politics is increasing. Social media is transforming political communication. Climate change and digital transformation emerge as new policy areas. Local elections in 2024 will reshape political balances. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.economist.com/the-world-this-week/2026/07/30/politics — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._