Turkey: Erdogan Says March Election Will Be His Last

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggests an end to his more than two decades of reign. He said that the upcoming local election in March will be his last. It was the first time Erdogan spoken about leaving his office, since yielding power in the country in 2023.

During a meeting at TUGVA young Turks foundation, he said, “I am working non-stop. We”re running around breathlessly because for me, it”s a final”. He said with the authority that the law confers on him, this election would be his last.

However, the 73-year-old President voiced his confidence that his conservative Justice and Development (AKP) party will remain in power even after he left the office.

It is said that the AKP is looking forward to winning the mayorship of Istanbul in the upcoming election. The party lost Istanbul mayorship to opposition during the 2019 election. Istanbul has witnessed Erdogan himself as the mayor from 1994 to 1998. Erdogan was then elected as the Priem Minister of Turkey, when the premier was the dominant position in Turkey’s politics.

In 2014, he was elected as the President after three terms of serving as Prime Minister.

During 2017, Turkey went through a constitutional change from the Parliamentarian system to an executive Presidency system, abolishing the position of Prime Minister. However, the changed did not bring any slant in Erdogan’s grip on power. Erdogan’s often controversial rule remained all throughout the elections in 2018 and last year.

When news about Erdogan leaving the office came out, internet was quick to respond. Human Rights activist Ercan Ozcan said he does not the President’s claim. Taking to his X (formerly twitter), the activist wrote, “we know he tries to modify the constitution to ensure his re-election again and again”.

(with inputs from agencies)