​Representation: Under Article 80 of the Constitution, members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly represent not only their own constituencies, but also the nation as a whole. In practice however, provincial and local interests are represented at the national level by informal lobbies of deputies to the parliament.

The governor at the province level represents the State. They are the heads of the provincial local administration and supervises the work of local government. They are represented by a sub-governor in each district of the province.

Information and consultation: Authorities at the sub-national level may, with permission from the Council of Ministers, form associations for the purpose of performing specific public services. There are over 800 of such associations, among them two national associations (Union of Municipalities of Turkey), as well as several regional associations of municipalities (for example Union of Municipalities of Marmara). The national associations protect the interest of local governments and submit opinions in the process of adoption of legislation related to local government (Article 20 of the Law on Unions of Local Authorities)).

Coordination: A supervisory role of the central government over the local government is guaranteed by the Constitution. Exercising the supervision, the central government is supposed to ensure the principle of equality and uniformity of services throughout the country, the conformity with the law and the overall public administration integrity between the central and the local governments. The Ministry of Interior through its Directorate General of Local Administrations exercises the administrative oversight.

Turkey is signatory to the European Charter of Local Self-Government, in effect in Turkey since 1993.