AKP's Yavuz: Even a one-week postponement of election would clear way for Erdoğan candidacy
AKP Deputy Chairman and Election Affairs Head Ali İhsan Yavuz, speaking in Ağrı, said the party wants parliament to decide on renewing elections, adding that moving the vote up by even a week would be enough to allow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to run again.
RastinewsAKP Deputy Chairman and Election Affairs Head Ali İhsan Yavuz addressed the likely election date at a meeting with civil society representatives and journalists in Ağrı. Yavuz noted that under current law, elections are due in May 2028.
"Even a week would do it"
Yavuz said the AKP wants parliament to decide on renewing elections. He said that if such a decision were made, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could run for another term.
Yavuz said the election does not need to be moved up by six months or a year. "I'll say it plainly: even a week would do the job. So why should we rush? Now is the time to get things done," he said.
"So we're in no hurry"
Yavuz said an election moved up by a week or two would still count as held on time. He said that if the Turkish Grand National Assembly decides to renew elections with 360 votes, that would clear the way for Erdoğan to run again.
"But we're in no hurry over that. Let's get our work done while there's work to do," Yavuz said. He added that the decision to renew elections could come only a short time before May, and that he expects Erdoğan to be a candidate.
The constitutional provision
Article 101 of the constitution allows a person to be elected president no more than twice. Erdoğan was reelected president in 2023.
Under Article 116 of the constitution, if the Turkish Grand National Assembly votes 360 in favor of renewing elections during a president's second term, the president may run again.