Democracy and Rights Erode Further in Türkiye as Executive Power Consolidates: Bertelsmann Report

Democracy and human rights in Türkiye continue to deteriorate as executive power becomes increasingly centralized under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, according to a new report by the Bertelsmann Stiftung. The study highlights weakening institutions, declining judicial independence, and mounting pressure on opposition figures and civil society, placing Türkiye among the world’s autocratic regimes.

Sharp Decline in Democratic Standards

The Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI), which evaluates governance and political transformation across 137 countries, shows a marked deterioration in Türkiye’s democratic performance.

• Türkiye ranks 110th in governance (rule of law, institutional quality)
• 131st in political transformation

This represents a steep decline from 2016, when the country ranked significantly higher in both categories, underscoring the scale of institutional erosion over the past decade.

The report classifies Türkiye among 77 countries governed by autocratic systems.

Post-2016 Shift Toward Centralized Rule

According to the report, Türkiye’s shift toward a more centralized political system accelerated after the failed coup attempt in July 2016.

The transition to a presidential system in 2018 is identified as a turning point that:

• Weakened institutional checks and balances
• Concentrated power in the executive branch
• Contributed to economic instability

This transformation, the report argues, has reshaped Türkiye’s political landscape and governance framework.

Crackdown Intensified After 2024 Local Elections

The report highlights a tougher government response following opposition gains in the 2024 local elections.

Authorities reportedly:

• Arrested multiple opposition mayors
• Increased legal and political pressure on opposition parties

These developments are described as part of a broader effort to limit political competition.

Judicial Independence Under Scrutiny

One of the report’s most critical findings concerns the judiciary.

It cites a systemic lack of judicial independence, pointing to high-profile cases such as:

• Selahattin Demirtaş, former HDP leader
• Osman Kavala, businessman and civil society figure

Both remain imprisoned despite rulings from the European Court of Human Rights calling for their release.

The report argues that courts increasingly function in alignment with the executive, raising concerns over the rule of law.

Restrictions on Freedoms and Civil Society

The study also documents a broad contraction of civil liberties:

• Freedom of expression, assembly, and association has been significantly restricted
• Independent media space has narrowed, with most outlets aligned with the government
• Civil society organizations operate under tight regulatory constraints

Minority groups—including Kurds, Alevis, Armenians, Christians, Jews, and LGBTIQ+ individuals—continue to face discrimination, as well as incidents of hate speech and violence.

Counterterrorism Laws and Political Pressure

The report notes that counterterrorism legislation is frequently used to:

• Limit legal protections
• Target political dissent

Kurdish political and cultural activities, in particular, are subject to increasing restrictions, according to the findings.

Governance Challenges and Institutional Weakness

Beyond political rights, the report identifies broader governance issues:

• Public administration has weakened due to political appointments
• Merit-based recruitment has declined
• Executive control over institutions has intensified

The government’s response to the February 2023 earthquakes in southeastern Türkiye is cited as evidence of reduced institutional capacity following post-coup purges.

Security Concerns and Rule of Law

Public confidence in security institutions has also declined.

The report attributes this to:

• Mass purges after the 2016 coup attempt
• Selective law enforcement practices
• Allegations of political protection for organized crime networks

These factors have contributed to a perception of weakened rule of law.

Political Strategy Ahead of 2028 Elections

The report suggests that recent government initiatives framed as efforts to resolve security issues may be politically motivated.

Specifically, it argues that attempts to engage Kurdish political actors could be part of a strategy to reshape alliances ahead of the 2028 elections, rather than a substantive move toward democratization.