Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Amme Idaresi Dergisi, cilt.58, sa.1, ss.63-96, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus)
Electoral systems are designed with a focused understanding of performing functions that may contradict each other. Within this framework, they are expected to ensure fairness in representation, mediate stability in administration, and prepare the ground for increasing support behind the elected officials. There are many studies in the literature on the subject of local elections in Türkiye. These studies usually focus on political communication strategies in the propaganda process or the messages conveyed in the election results in terms of national politics. In contrast, this study examines local elections in the context of justice in representation, administrative stability, and the provision of qualified majority support. Thus, the dimensions of fair representation, governability, and political legitimacy of local governments in Türkiye are discussed using quantitative data related to municipal council, provincial general assembly, mayoral, and metropolitan mayoral elections as part of the 2024 local elections. In summary, the study concludes that the practice of electoral threshold and quota candidates has a negative impact on both fair representation in decision-making bodies, and governability in municipalities where different political parties win mayoral and municipal council elections. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the dissolution of electoral alliances has led to a decline in the level of political legitimacy in mayorships.