Türkiye

Türkiye continues to function as an electoral autocracy where the executive maintains dominant control over the state apparatus, the judiciary, and the media. While the country holds regular elections that see significant public participation, the political playing field remains heavily skewed in favor of the ruling party through the utilization of state resources, control over media conglomerates, and the systematic use of judicial processes to marginalize political opposition and critics. The independence of the judiciary is largely compromised, with courts frequently serving to legitimize administrative actions or stifle dissent. Fundamental civil liberties, including freedom of expression and assembly, face ongoing restrictions, and independent journalism operates under substantial pressure and risk of legal harassment. Despite the resilience of a pluralistic societal base, the concentration of power within the presidency and the erosion of checks and balances ensure that political competition lacks the fairness and institutional safeguards necessary for a robust democracy, resulting in a system where democratic procedures exist primarily to validate the existing executive order.