Erdoğan could run again in case of early election, posits AKP deputy

Duvar English

Bekir Bozdağ, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy and former justice minister, on March 9 argued that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could run once again if the parliament called for an early election. 

Erdoğan had announced the upcoming local elections of March 31 would be his last ever elections, as the constitution limits the presidency to two terms of five years. 

Bozdağ pointed out on his social media a technicality in the constitution that would allow Erdoğan for one more time. 

“If the Assembly decides to renew the elections during the second term of the President of the Republic, they may once again be a candidate,” states Article 116 of the constitution. 

Bozdağ wrote, “Should the parliament decide for a renewal, it is our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s constitutional right to run for a third time.” 

“We do not know what tomorrow will bring. Let’s see what god does. All god does is good,” he concluded. 

The Turkish Parliament can call for early elections with a three-fifth majority vote. This would require the general and presidential elections to be held together. 

Erdoğan’s candidacy for the 2023 presidential election was controversial, as he had completed two terms since becoming president in 2014.

The AKP held that elections before the 2017 constitutional reform should not be taken into account as the presidency assumed a different role after the parliamentary system was abolished.

As Erdoğan has run as a candidate only once under the presidential system, the AKP and allies defended that he was eligible for another term.

After months of debates, Erdoğan’s candidacy was approved by the Supreme Election Council (YSK).