ERDEM-NEWSLETTER-2018-metin

382 NEWSLETTER 2018 has been reduced to 13 from 22. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice has become a natural member of the Council. In this manner, the President appoints the Minister of Justice, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice, and four members of the Council, while the seven remaining members are appointed by Parliament. In a scenario where the President runs the party that makes up the majority in Parliament, all members of the council will be appointed by the President. This example shows how the legislative, judicial, and executive bodies are interdependent under the new system. Conclusion The new system has been highly criticized for its damage to the principle of separation of powers, and due to the concentration of all powers in one person. As a result, following the approval of the Con- stitutional amendment by the Turkish citizens on the referendum dated 16.04.2017, the next election date had been determined as 03.11.2019. However, emergency elections were held on 24.06.2018; thus, Turkey has officially transitioned to an executive presidency after the Presi- dent took the oath of office on 09.07.2018.