Early elections in Turkey

The adviser of the Turkish president announced the possibility of holding presidential elections in March or April 2028.

AMBASSADOR ARJAN-INTERNATIONAL GROUP: Turkish presidential adviser Mehmet Ocum said Turkey will likely hold early 2028 elections, a move that would allow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to bypass constitutional restrictions and run for president again.

The next presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for May of that year, but Ochum said, "It is now almost certain that the 2028 elections will be held in March or April."

It is the first time a senior official has publicly backed a proposal by Erdogan's allies to change the election date to allow him to run again.

Ochum did not elaborate on what that means for the president's plans, but his comments represent the closest a public position has come from a prominent figure to a proposal by Erdogan's allies to change the election date to allow him to run again.

Erdogan has ruled Turkey for nearly 23 years, serving first as prime minister and then as president.

A referendum in 2017 established a new executive presidential system that would allow Erdogan to be re-elected as president for two more terms in 2018 and 2023.

The new system stipulates a maximum of two presidential terms, but the constitution allows him to run again if parliament calls for early elections before the end of his final five-year term.

Calling for early elections requires a three-fifths majority of parliament, or 360 out of 600 members. Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its allies hold 331 seats.

Two main factors, including the separation of an important part of the Justice and Development Party in the form of the New Welfare Party led by Fatih Erbakan, as well as the unfavorable economic situation in Turkey, the most important indicator of which is 70% inflation, have played a decisive role in Erdogan's failure to achieve his goals in the recent elections.

The Turkish People's Republic Party is still leading the ruling party (Justice and Development led by Erdogan) in these three cities.

Oghan now considers himself a decisive politician in Turkey, and his relatives have emphasized to him that if he becomes the bridge to the victory of one of the two election candidates, he can play a significant role in the political future of Turkey and get at least two or three ministries in the future government.