Election at the Constitutional Court: New president to be determined today

Due to the expiration of the terms of the presidents of the Constitutional Court (AYM), the Court of Cassation, and the Council of State, presidential elections will be held in all 3 high courts, with two of them taking place in March.

The terms of Constitutional Court President Zühtü Arslan on April 20, Court of Cassation President Mehmet Akarca on March 24, and Council of State President Zeki Yiğit on May 7 are coming to an end. In this context, the process for presidential elections will proceed in all 3 high courts. The first of the elections to be held in the high courts will take place at the Constitutional Court.

The presidential election process began on February 20 due to the expiration of Zühtü Arslan's 12-year term at the High Court.

In this context, the Constitutional Court will elect its new president today. 

In the election, Arslan will not be able to be a candidate because his term is expiring, but he will be able to vote. Other members of the High Court will be eligible to be candidates for the presidency.

In the election to be held in the General Assembly, the candidate who secures an absolute majority by receiving the votes of at least 8 out of 15 members will assume the office of President of the Constitutional Court for 4 years.

If no member can secure the required majority, the elections will continue.

ARSLAN WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT 3 TIMES

While continuing his duty as an AYM member, which he began on April 20, 2012, Zühtü Arslan was first elected President of the Constitutional Court on February 10, 2015.

After his term expired, Arslan received an absolute majority of the votes in the election on January 25, 2019, and was elected president for the second time. Finally, in the election held in the AYM General Assembly on February 2, 2023, he received the votes of 8 out of 15 members and became the AYM president for the third time.