Turkish Constitutional Court abolishes indefinite alimony provision

The Turkish Constitutional Court (Anayasa Mahkemesi) voted by a large majority to cancel the "süresiz" clause in Article 175 of the Turkish Civil Code, which allowed indefinite poverty alimony after divorce. The case originated from a petition by Antalya 12th Family Court, claiming the provision violated constitutional principles. The Court’s decision, to be published in the Official Gazette, will become effective nine months later, giving the parliament time to draft new family‑law rules. Drafts under discussion would limit alimony based on marriage duration and other factors. The ruling has sparked criticism from women’s rights groups and legal professionals, who argue it harms low‑income women and widens gender‑economic gaps. A similar request was rejected in 2012, making this reversal a notable shift in Turkey’s family‑law landscape.