Turkish Law in EnglishTÜRKİYE
Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye

Article 117: 1. Office of Commander-in-Chief and Office of the Chief of the General Staff

PART TWO: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES › CHAPTER TWO: Executive 1. President of the Republic

The Office of Commander-in-Chief is inseparable from the spiritual existence of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and is represented by the President of the Republic.

The President of the Republic shall be accountable to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye for national security and for the preparation of the Armed Forces for the defence of the country.

The Chief of the General Staff, appointed by the President of the Republic, is the commander of the Armed Forces, and, in time of war, exercises the duties of Commander-in-Chief on behalf of the President of the Republic.

Repealed fourth paragraph: 21/1/2017, Law No. 6771, Art. 16

Repealed fifth paragraph: 21/1/2017, Law No. 6771, Art. 16

Original Turkish text

MADDE 117 · 1. Başkomutanlık ve Genelkurmay Başkanlığı

Başkomutanlık, Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisinin manevi varlığından ayrılamaz ve Cumhurbaşkanı tarafından temsil olunur.

Milli güvenliğin sağlanmasından ve Silahlı Kuvvetlerin yurt savunmasına hazırlanmasından, Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisine karşı, Cumhurbaşkanı sorumludur.

Cumhurbaşkanınca atanan Genelkurmay Başkanı; Silahlı Kuvvetlerin komutanı olup, savaşta Başkomutanlık görevlerini Cumhurbaşkanlığı namına yerine getirir.

(Mülga dördüncü fıkra: 21/1/2017-6771/16 md.)

(Mülga beşinci fıkra: 21/1/2017-6771/16 md.)

Text as of 1 October 2026 · Official source (Turkish): mevzuat.gov.tr ↗

Unofficial translation for information only. The Turkish text published in the Official Gazette is the only authoritative version. This page is not legal advice.