Erdogan Plans Early 2028 Election to Seek Third Term

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan intends to seek a third term under Turkey's executive presidential system by triggering an early election. Chief Presidential Adviser Mehmet Ucum stated the government aims to move the presidential and parliamentary votes from May 14, 2028, to April 16, 2028, a date marking the anniversary of the 2017 referendum.

Under Article 116 of the Turkish Constitution, an incumbent president may run for a third term if parliament approves early elections via a three-fifths majority. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek confirmed on September 18 that elections will be held in 2028, ruling out reports of a 2027 vote. However, the ruling Justice and Development Party and its allies currently hold between 326 and 330 seats, leaving them more than 30 votes short of the 360 required to unilaterally dissolve parliament.

Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel criticized the strategy as an attempt to fool the public, asserting that the opposition will win at the ballot box. While AKP spokesman Omer Celik previously denied that early elections were on the agenda, Mehmet Ucum clarified that this would be Erdogan's final bid for office. If successful, Erdogan would extend his leadership beyond 25 years, having served as prime minister since 2003 and president since 2014.