National Assembly in November: Youth Issues Factsheet
This information note is based on compiled data regarding speeches made by Members of Parliament during the November 2025 sessions of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) that addressed youth and youth-related issues. In November, youth-related problems were discussed a total of 24 times in Parliament. This note aims to illustrate which issues concerning youth were brought to the parliamentary agenda and by which political actors.
A point of particular importance for the month of November is the submission of research proposals on issues related to public student dormitories (KYK) by both the İYİ Party Group and the New Way Group.
Key Themes
In November 2025, the most frequently raised topic under the heading of youth in the Turkish Grand National Assembly was the structural problems faced by higher education students. The speeches concentrated around specific recurring themes.
KYK Dormitory / Loan Issues and the Student Housing Crisis: Throughout November, issues related to the Credit and Dormitories Institution (KYK) were brought to the parliamentary agenda 6 times. MPs highlighted problems concerning housing conditions, dormitory capacity, living standards, and shortcomings in meeting students’ daily needs. This was the most frequently mentioned theme under the youth agenda during the month.
In addition, the broader issue of student housing was separately discussed 2 more times. Opposition MPs addressed this issue within the framework of youth poverty. By party:
- CHP: 4 times
- İYİ Party: 2 times
- DEM Party: 1 time
- Felicity (Saadet) Party: 1 time
Autonomy and Quality of Academia: Academic freedom, the administrative structure of universities, and the quality of scientific production were brought to the parliamentary agenda 4 times. In these speeches, MPs emphasized the need to shield universities from political pressure, ensure merit-based academic appointments, and protect the institutional autonomy of higher education.
In addition, the overall inadequacy of the education system in Türkiye—not limited to universities—was discussed 2 times in the TBMM. The DEM Party submitted a research proposal on this issue. By party:
- İYİ Party: 2 times
- CHP: 1 time
- Felicity (Saadet) Party: 1 time
- DEM Party: 1 time
- DEVA Party: 1 time
Youth Brain Drain: The issue of young people leaving the country and the inability to retain qualified human capital was raised 4 times in the Turkish Grand National Assembly during November. MPs addressed brain drain in the context of economic conditions, limited career opportunities, and a lack of academic freedoms. On this issue, the New Way Group submitted a research proposal to Parliament. By party:
- CHP: 1 time
- İYİ Party: 1 time
- Felicity (Saadet) Party: 1 time
- DEVA Party: 1 time
Other Youth-Related Topics Discussed in Parliament:
- Lack of merit in public appointments and interview processes (2 times – DEM Party and CHP)
- Challenges faced by young people working as motorcycle couriers (CHP)
- Student amnesty (MHP)
- Erasmus+ budget (CHP)
Conclusion
In November 2025, youth-related discussions in the Turkish Grand National Assembly were limited in number but concentrated around specific themes. Issues such as KYK (Credit and Dormitories Institution) problems, the autonomy of academia, and youth brain drain emerged as key areas of debate reflecting the current conditions and future expectations of young people.
The speeches delivered by Members of Parliament indicate that the challenges youth face—particularly in accessing education and public resources—continue to be reflected on the parliamentary agenda. This information note aims to provide a foundation for future qualitative analyses.