GOOD GOVERNANCE IN TURKEY

A H M E T C O S K U N0 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 4

A N K A R A , T U R K E Y

1

TURKISH PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

● 75 million population

● Over 3 million public employees

● 225 billion dollar central government budget

2

NEED FOR REFORM IN 1990’S

• Inefficient, ineffective and corrupt system

• Dissatisfaction with public services

• Mistrust in government

• Questioning the role and function of state apparatus

REFORM PROCESS IN TURKEY

• Key drivers for change: Internal forces

• Rising demand from society

• 1999 natural disaster

• 2001 economic crisis

• Political commitment and leadership

• Reform minded single party government

REFORM PROCESS IN TURKEY

• Key drivers for change: External forces and motivators

• IMF anchor

• EU membership perspective

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

MAIN POLICY FIELDS

• Constitutional reforms

• Ending military tutelage system

• Safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms

• Reforms towards strengthening rule of law

• Independent and more effective judiciary

MAIN POLICY FIELDS

• Reform in public administration

• Decentralization• Privatization• Transformation in citizen-state relations

• Right of access to information• Communication with citizens regarding public services: BIMER practice

• New institutions

• Ombudsman• Council of Ethics for Public Service

NEW PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

• Well disciplined fiscal policy

• Strategic management

• Internal control system

• External audit

CHALLENGES AND ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

• 16th largest economy in the world

• However;

• Ranked 44th within «Global Competitiveness Index»

• 58th in terms of efficiency and transparency of its public institutions

• Ranked 69th within «Worldbank Ease of Doing Business Index»

CHALLENGES AND ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

• Need for;

• A comprehensive reform strategy

• Open, inclusive and evidence based policy making system

• Attention to evaluation practices for more effective public policies

• Sustained efforts towards institutionalization of reforms

• Powerful parliament

• Stronger civil society

• Enhanced interaction and collaboration with stakeholders

THANK YOU !

Ahmet COSKUN+90-506 256 8495

acoskun@basbakanlik.gov.tr12