--- title: Refik Koraltan slug: refik-koraltan-e0db2 url: /detay/refik-koraltan-e0db2 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Refik Koraltan type: biography disambiguation: Refik Koraltan: Prominent Turkish politician, active in the Ottoman-Republican transition. Key figure in the Turkish National Struggle & early Republic. categories: - name: Politics And International Relations slug: siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler url: /kategori/siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler - name: History slug: tarih url: /kategori/tarih tags: - Turkish Politics - Refik Koraltan author: Yakup Hilmi Altuntaş created_at: 2025-05-19T14:47:47.166309+03:00 updated_at: 2025-05-20T09:00:43.603759+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/19/blb4cPEowswCblosIA2D97KKN7ohczsu.webp --- # Refik Koraltan > Refik Koraltan was a Turkish politician, jurist, and statesman. Born in 1903 in Konya, Koraltan served for many years as the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and became a prominent figure in the country’s political history. Known for his contributions to the Turkish National Struggle in the 1920s, he was among the founding members of the Democrat Party in 1946. Between 1950 and 1960, he held the position of Speaker of the Parliament. Following the military coup of May 27, 1960, Koraltan was arrested, but he was granted amnesty and released in 1964. ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Refik Koraltan ![refik-koraltan.webp](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/19/cehRZWTY0T2JbbfYK4irxzqiYcW0udBv.webp) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Child(ren) | Ayhan Timurtaş | | Place of Death(Text) | Istanbul | | Place of Birth(Text) | Konya | | Spouse(s) | Adalet Koraltan | | Date of Death(Text) | June 17 1974 | | Date of Birth(Text) | August 19 1903 | | Education | Faculty of Law (Istanbul University) | | Positions Held | Member of the Istanbul Independence Tribunal,President of the Yozgat Independence Tribunal,Founding Member of the Turkish Communist Party,Governor of Bursa (1939–1942),Governor of Trabzon (1938–1939),Governor of Çoruh (1936–1938),Deputy of Konya (1923–1936),Deputy of Mersin (1942–1946),Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (1950–1960) | | Political Affiliations | Democrat Party (DP),Republican People's Party (CHP) | ## Article Content [Refik Koraltan](/en/detay/refik-koraltan-b0a46/llms.txt), as one of the prominent figures in Turkish politics, played an active role during the transition from the Ottoman Empire to the Republican era and in the subsequent period. Born in 1898 in [Konya](/en/detay/konya-ataturk-house-museum-2df51/llms.txt), Koraltan became known for his active political involvement, particularly during the years of the Turkish National Struggle and the early years of the [Republic](/en/detay/october-29-republic-day-2ec41/llms.txt) of Türkiye. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/05/19/RJZyJZVayb0gxtiawAzBt8lkfnUpwLU5.png) *Refik Koraltan, in the middle (Grand National Assembly of Türkiye)* ### **Early Life and Education** Refik Koraltan was born in Konya. The educated and socially active nature of his family was among the factors that shaped his early interest in politics. He completed his primary education in Konya and pursued his higher education in Istanbul, where he studied law. His legal education later became a significant foundation for his career, enabling him to serve in various legal institutions of the state. ### **Political Activities During the National Struggle** A major turning point in Koraltan’s political career emerged in the aftermath of the First World War and during the Turkish War of Independence. Returning to Konya in 1919, he began working as a lawyer and quickly became one of the leading figures of the national movement. He participated in the establishment of the Defense of Rights Society (Müdafaa-i Hukuk Cemiyeti) in Konya and supported the local resistance efforts. In close cooperation with the [12th Corps Commander](/en/detay/general-cevat-cobanli-f484a/llms.txt), [Fahrettin Altay](/en/detay/fahrettin-altay-7a793/llms.txt) Pasha, he played a leading role in reorganizing the society. ### **The First Grand National Assembly and the Founding of the Republic of Türkiye** In 1920, Refik Koraltan became a deputy of Konya in the First Grand National Assembly and actively participated in the founding of the Republic. Within the Assembly, he served on the Justice, Interior Affairs, Drafting, and Land Registry and Cadastre commissions, contributing to significant legislative decisions. In the same year, he joined the Inquiry Committee (Tahkik Heyeti) formed in response to a rebellion attempt in Konya, working to reinforce the national struggle. Additionally, during a period when Bolshevik activities were increasing, he took part in the founding of the Turkish Communist Party upon the invitation of [Mustafa Kemal Pasha](/en/detay/mustafa-kemal-ataturk-722184/llms.txt). ### **Political Influence in the Early Republican Period** Following the proclamation of the Republic, Refik Koraltan continued to play an active role in the legislative affairs of the Assembly. He notably contributed to the enactment of key reforms such as the Hat Law and the closure of religious lodges and shrines. Koraltan also provided valuable input during the preparation of fundamental legal codes, including the Turkish Penal Code, the Code of Obligations, and the Civil Code. His close relationship with Mustafa Kemal Pasha during this period was another important factor that enhanced his political influence. ### **Second Term and Involvement in the Democrat Party** In 1946, Koraltan returned to politics and was elected as a deputy for Mersin, contributing to the transition to a multi-party political system in Türkiye. He led the opposition movement within the Republican People's Party (CHP) alongside the "Motion of Four" (Dörtlü Takrir) in 1945 and took part in the founding of the [Democrat Party](/en/detay/menderes-adnan/llms.txt) in 1946. Following the party’s rise to power, Koraltan was appointed Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, a position he held until 1960. ### **The 27 May 1960 Coup and the Yassıada Trials** The military coup of [May 27, 1960](/en/detay/may-27-military-coup-94355/llms.txt), marked a pivotal moment in Refik Koraltan’s life. During the coup, he was arrested along with other members of the Democrat Party and sent to Yassıada. There, he was tried on charges of violating the constitution and other alleged offenses. As a result of the trials, Koraltan was sentenced to death; however, the National Unity Committee commuted his sentence to life imprisonment. He was later granted amnesty and released. During his years in prison, Koraltan suffered from health problems and managed to survive with the medical treatments he received during this period. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/05/19/sNg5HVbGRs2ZaQccoFqPwqWSh0l1Ckdl.jpg) *Yassıada, In Recent Times (AA)* ### **Later Years and Death** After being granted amnesty in 1964, Refik Koraltan traveled to Germany, where he continued his medical treatment. Upon his return to Türkiye in 1966, he withdrew from active political life and began leading a quiet existence. On 17 June 1974, he passed away in Istanbul due to kidney failure and complications from gout. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Agency, "Democracy's Dark Day: Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Executions of Menderes, Zorlu and Polatkan," accessed May 19, 2025, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/demokrasi-tarihinin-kara-gunu-menderes-zorlu-ve-polatkan-idam-edilislerinin-60-yilinda-aniliyor/2367192. 2. Anadolu Agency, "Execution of Democracy: May 27," accessed May 19, 2025, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/demokrasinin-infazi-27-mayis. 3. Atatürk Encyclopedia, "Refik Koraltan (1889-1974)," accessed May 19, 2025, https://ataturkansiklopedisi.gov.tr/detay/186/Refik-Koraltan-(1889-1974). 4. Republic of Turkey Grand National Assembly, "The Trial of Democratic Politicians and the 27 May Coup," accessed May 19, 2025, https://acikerisim.tbmm.gov.tr/server/api/core/bitstreams/9cd61dc7-e24a-42b6-864c-99afedf6533d/content.