Erdogan will run for the presidency of Turkey

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, will once again run in the early elections likely to be held on April 16, 2028. This news follows statements made by Mehmet Oğuz, Erdogan's senior advisor. Oğuz announced that these elections will be held if 360 members of parliament agree.

Conditions for Holding Early Elections

According to Turkish laws, the usual election date is in May 2028, but under the constitution, the parliament has the authority to hold early elections with the approval of 360 out of 600 members. This mechanism could pave the way for Erdogan to run for another presidential term. The ruling Justice and Development Party, led by Erdogan, and its nationalist ally, the Nationalist Movement Party, hold 326 parliamentary seats.

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Election Speculations and Reactions

Erdogan, 72, recently hinted at the possibility of early elections while addressing his supporters in Rize province, stating, "With God's will, we will successfully pass through the upcoming elections." His remarks were interpreted as a potential sign of early elections, but Ömer Çelik, the spokesperson for the Justice and Development Party, rejected this interpretation, stating that no elections are on the agenda.

Erdogan was elected for his last presidential term in May 2023, at which time he promised to hand over the future of the country to the youth. Following the imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul and Erdogan's main rival, Özgür Özel, the opposition leader, has repeatedly called for early elections. This imprisonment has been described by critics as a politically motivated action.

It is still unclear who Erdogan's main rival from the opposition will be. Many believe that Ekrem İmamoğlu may not be able to run due to his imprisonment. Erdogan remains a popular leader among his supporters, and many view him as the only leader capable of resisting Western pressures and guiding Turkey through regional and international crises.

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