Turkish presidential advisor believes Erdoğan should serve another term

Duvar English

Turkish Presidential Chief Advisor and Deputy Chair of the Presidential Law Policies Board Mehmet Uçum on Oct. 11 stated his wish for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to run once again in the 2028 presidential elections on a Habertürk broadcast.

Uçum denied that there would be any early elections, as it was President Erdoğan’s second and final term in office. “Why would he make such a decision? He will continue serving until the very last moment,” he said.

Uçum claimed that if the parliament decides to renew elections before May 2028, then President Erdoğan can run again. Such a decision would require the approval of 360 members of parliament. 

Noting that it was early for such discussions, Uçum shared his opinion. “My opinion is clear, and I’m sharing it for the first time with you: I see President Erdoğan as a national asset and wealth for Turkey. There is no other leader in the world with as much experience and influence in global politics as Erdoğan.” 

Putin could be mentioned among such leaders, held Uçum, but added that Erdoğan was a “unique” leader in a democratic system like Turkey where governments change through elections. “I believe he has been the most successful leader since Atatürk. I believe the Turkish people and their representatives should benefit from the president’s wealth of experience and inclusiveness,” the chief adviser stated. 

He continued, “It’s my personal view that Erdoğan should be allowed to run for another five years, given his role as the bearer of this system and his two terms as president. If a new constitution is made, and it allows for both current and former presidents to run again, that would be another matter.”

Erdoğan had announced the local elections of March 31 would be his last ever elections, as the constitution limits the presidency to two terms of five years. Some critics said Erdoğan's remarks was to motivate the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) electorate to vote in the local elections and to point out the need for a new constitution.

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.