Erdogan vows not to run again, eyes new constitution change
Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he does not plan to run again for the presidency of Turkey. His current term will be his last, with the next elections scheduled for 2028.
What do you need to know?
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated he does not intend to seek re-election for the presidency of Turkey. This term is his final one under the current law.
- Constitutional change remains one of Erdogan's primary objectives, as he criticizes the current constitution for being "written by coup plotters" after the 1980 military coup.
- The next presidential elections in Turkey are set for 2028, aligning with the conclusion of Erdogan's current term according to the law.
Erdogan's declaration
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has assured the public that he does not intend to run again for the presidency.
He stressed his desire to introduce a new constitution that would benefit the country rather than serve his personal ambitions. Erdogan reiterated that this term is his last, in compliance with the current law.
- We want the new constitution not for ourselves but for our country. I have no interest in being re-elected or becoming a candidate again (for the presidency) - said Erdogan.
What changes in the constitution does Erdogan plan?
For several months, Erdogan has been advocating for a change in the constitution, which he describes as "written by coup plotters". This current constitution was established following the 1980 military coup. The Turkish president aims to resolve the conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which may be an effort to gain Kurdish support for the new constitution.
Erdogan's current term is his third, with his first term served before the transition from a parliamentary to a presidential system. The adoption of the presidential system followed a 2017 constitutional referendum, in which voters agreed to grant the president extensive powers while still limiting the number of terms to two.
