ARABIAN TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Türkiye is preparing new legislation to address the issue of indefinite alimony payments following divorce, with the proposed regulations expected to form part of the second phase of the country’s 12th Judicial Package. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the planned reforms recently while speaking at a ceremony marking the opening of the 2026–2027 judicial year in Ankara. Gürlek said the government was preparing the second part of the judicial reform package, which is expected to contain between 24 and 25 provisions.
He indicated that the legislation would be presented to the Turkish Parliament in October, with indefinite alimony among the key issues to be addressed. “Following the Constitutional Court’s annulment decision, we plan to implement the necessary legal regulations regarding indefinite alimony as part of the package in October,” Gürlek said. The planned reform follows a landmark decision by Türkiye’s Constitutional Court on June 4, which annulled a provision permitting alimony to continue indefinitely following divorce.
The ruling has opened the way for lawmakers to establish a new legal framework governing financial support between former spouses. Under Article 175 of Türkiye’s Civil Code, known as “alimony for poverty,” a spouse who risks falling into poverty because of divorce may request financial support from the other spouse. The amount is determined in consideration of the paying spouse’s financial means, while the applicant must not have been more at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. The existing provision, however, does not establish a fixed maximum period for such payments.
The issue of indefinite alimony has been a subject of legal and social debate in Türkiye, particularly concerning the balance between protecting financially vulnerable divorced spouses and providing greater legal certainty for those required to make payments. The forthcoming legislation is therefore expected to define the framework more clearly following the Constitutional Court’s decision. Gürlek also said the second phase of the judicial package would address difficulties faced by lawyers and seek to improve the efficiency and functioning of judicial proceedings.
He noted that the first part of the 12th Judicial Package had already been enacted and entered into force, while the government intends to bring the second part before Parliament in October.The opening ceremony in Ankara was attended by officials from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), as well as the Ankara chief public prosecutor, representatives of the Ankara Bar Association No. 2 and members of the judiciary.
Gürlek emphasized that a strong and effective legal system was essential to Türkiye’s broader development objectives. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to preparing what he described as a civilian, democratic and inclusive constitution. “As we implement our vision for the ‘Century of Justice,’ we will continue our determination to advance the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights without abandoning our goal of a civilian, democratic and inclusive constitution,” he said.
Addressing international affairs, Gürlek criticized what he described as double standards among some Western countries in responding to human rights violations. He argued that inconsistent responses by international institutions had weakened confidence in the international legal order. He pointed to prolonged displacement, violence and humanitarian crises in Türkiye’s surrounding region, saying international legal principles should be applied consistently rather than according to the interests of powerful states. “The Turkish nation will continue to stand wherever and whenever justice and law are needed,” Gürlek said.
He also underlined the importance of domestic unity and stability, arguing that a peaceful and cohesive Türkiye would be better positioned to contribute to regional stability and international peace. The proposed alimony reforms, alongside wider judicial measures, are now expected to become an important part of Türkiye’s legislative agenda when the second phase of the 12th Judicial Package reaches Parliament in October. Available next action: Create a downloadable DOCX file here in this chat containing the editable prose above
