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Rule of Law Backsliding and Abusive Constitutionalism in Turkey
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 August 2025
Abstract
In recent years, constitutional amendments have emerged as a key tool for populist leaders who seek to undermine the rule of law and checks and balances. Abusive constitutionalism is central to democratic and rule of law backsliding, because it allows authoritarian leaders to reshape the legal and institutional framework of the state to entrench their power. By manipulating constitutional rules, these leaders can undermine judicial independence, weaken legislative oversight, and diminish the capacity of political opposition, all while maintaining a veneer of legality. Turkey is an exemplar of such processes. Turkey’s current constitution, introduced in 1982 during military rule, has been amended numerous times, with thirteen significant amendments established during the tenure of the current governing party. These amendments have played a critical role in Turkey’s democratic backsliding, transforming the country from a fragile democracy into a hybrid regime characterized by authoritarian governance.
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- Special Focus Roundtable: Constitutional Change and the Rule of Law
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- © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Middle East Studies Association of North America
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