Erdogan Plans to Run Again in 2028 Election 

Turkish President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to contest the next election in 2028. Local media reported this news. They cited a senior advisor to the Turkish president as their source.

Turkish broadcaster NTV and the daily newspaper Cumhuriyet reported the details. Mr. Erdogan’s chief advisor Mr. Mehmet Uçum said the election could happen earlier than the set date. He said the vote could take place on April 16, 2028, if at least 360 lawmakers in parliament approve a proposal for early elections.

Under the Turkish constitution, the next election is due in May 2028. However, the constitution allows an exception. If 360 members of the 600 seat parliament vote for early elections, the current president can run again. This move would bypass the usual term limit rule.

Mr. Erdogan’s ruling AK Party and its ally, the nationalist MHP party, together hold 326 seats in parliament. They will need support from opposition parties to reach the required 360 votes.

Mr. Erdogan is 72 years old. He first came to power as prime minister in 2003. He served three consecutive terms as prime minister. In 2014, he became president. He won reelection in both 2018 and 2023.

After his win in May 2023, Mr. Erdogan had signaled that this would be his final term. He had promised to hand the country’s future to younger leaders. However, recent political developments have raised fresh possibilities of his candidacy.