Turkey is considering holding early elections and paving the way for Erdogan's re-election

Turkey's presidential adviser has announced that his country will likely hold presidential and parliamentary elections in 2028 earlier than previously predicted.

Erdoğan's rise to the presidency for life/ holding early elections in 2028

Turkey's presidential adviser has announced that his country will likely hold presidential and parliamentary elections in 2028 earlier than previously predicted.

According to Ambassador Arjan, Turkish presidential adviser Mehmet Ochum said on Thursday that Turkey will likely hold elections in 2028 earlier than expected, a move that would allow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to bypass constitutional restrictions and run for president again.

According to Ambassador Arjan, quoted by Al-Mayadin, the next presidential and parliamentary elections are planned for May of the same year, but Ochum said: "Now it is 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.

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