Political regime and constitutional order during the First Turkish Grand National Assembly

The aftermath of World War I was a period of significant constitutional and political developments, which would result in the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. At the center of these developments stood the First Turkish Grand National Assembly. First Assembly has a historical role not simply as a headquarters from where the national struggle was commanded but also as a legislative institution, which completely transformed the political regime and introduced constitutional regulations. During this transformation from Ottoman Empire to Turkish State, First Assembly embraced the principle of unity of powers and recognized itself as the only legitimate authority. In the sui generis conditions of the armistice period, Ottoman experience with constitutionalism and the accumulated experience of the parliamentary tradition provided a foundation for the transition from constitutional monarchy to republic. Basic principles that characterized the Republican regime also emerged in this period. During the constitutional debates, ideas of immense variety were put forward and most foundational constitutional problems were debated at length in a free environment. The difference of opinion between the First and Second groups in the Assembly also emerged in these discussions. During the regime transformation and foundation of the new state, national sovereignty, unity of powers, superiority of the assembly and populism were embraced as the main constitutional and political principles. These principles established a frame for legal developments. Although a system of parliamentary government was adopted in the Constitution of 1921, there was a struggle for authority between legislative and executive functions. In this context, Independence Tribunals, an organ through which the Assembly exercised its judicial power, were subject to controversies during the period and restriction of its authority and duties occupied the Assembly's agenda. Keywords: First Turkish Grand National Assembly, Political Regime in the First Turkish Grand National Assembly, Assembly Government, Unity of Powers, Principle of National Sovereignty