Politics · Turkey · 11 hrs ago
Bahçeli proposes 19 new provinces and 78 new districts for Türkiye
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli proposed 19 new provinces and 78 new districts in Türkiye.
His plan, called “100 Provinces, 1,000 Districts,” would expand a country that currently has 81 provinces.
Bahçeli says districts should qualify based on factors such as population, growth potential, location and access to public services.
Becoming a province can bring a larger share of central government funding for local administration.
The last district to become a province was Düzce in 1999, and such changes require parliamentary approval.
Parliament would choose which districts become provinces, after relevant state institutions assess them against agreed criteria.
Bahçeli said a bill on the proposed changes could be brought forward later, but no timing was given.
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli proposed creating 19 new provinces and 78 new districts in Türkiye.
The proposal is part of a plan titled “100 Provinces, 1,000 Districts.”
Bahçeli said districts should be considered for provincial status using criteria including population, development potential, location and access to services.
He said the districts to be upgraded would ultimately be determined by Parliament, based on agreement among relevant state institutions.
Bahçeli said administrative reform was needed to improve public services and adapt government to demographic, economic and technological changes.
- Who
- Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
- What
- He proposed creating 19 new provinces and 78 new districts under the “100 Provinces, 1,000 Districts” plan.
- When
- Sunday, November 1, 2026.
- Where
- Türkiye.
- Why
- Bahçeli said administrative changes were needed to improve public services and adapt government to changing demographic, economic and technological conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Düzce became the last district to be granted provincial status, according to Daily Sabah.
Bahçeli shared details of the “100 Provinces, 1,000 Districts” plan, which proposes 19 new provinces and 78 new districts.
- Proposed new provinces
- 19
- Proposed new districts
- 78
- Current provinces
- 81
- Plan title
- 100 Provinces, 1,000 Districts
- Last district made a province
- Düzce, 1999
3 sources
What people are saying
Certain districts should be upgraded to provincial status due to their growing populations, development potential, geographical location, difficulties in accessing services and strategic importance.