One is the March amendment to the Law on Parliamentary Elections which introduced electoral alliances (Article 12/A). This amendment allows parties in electoral alliances to be considered together in relation to the 10% electoral threshold (Article 33). This amendment impacts a fundamental element of the electoral system as it regulates the transformation of votes into seats (see IV.B below). This amendment partly mitigates the very high electoral threshold in Turkey, and may thus be seen as bringing Turkey’s electoral law more in line with the principles of equality and proportionality. Late amendments of electoral law, even of its fundamental elements, can be justified if the purpose is to bring the legislation in line with European standards.14 However, at the time of its adoption, it must have been clear for the different stakeholders that this particular amendment could have a significant impact on the election results. Such amendments shortly before an election are highly problematic. Indeed, the amendment turned out to have a direct impact on the election results as it allowed the junior partner in the opposition coalition, the Good Party (İyi), to meet the threshold and thus be represented in Parliament.
14 See Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters, Interpretative Declaration, par. II.2.
