Erdoğan seeks constitutional path to third presidential term

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is exploring legal avenues to pursue a third presidential term, despite constitutional limits. Under Article 101 of the Turkish Constitution, an individual is restricted to two terms as President of the Republic. Having been elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023, Erdoğan has reached this limit under the current presidential system.

However, a constitutional exception exists under Article 116. If the Grand National Assembly decides to renew elections during a president's second term, the incumbent may run for office once more. To trigger this, a three-fifths majority—at least 360 out of 600 deputies—is required.

Erdoğan's advisor, Mehmet Utsum, has indicated that the president intends to seek a third term, suggesting a potential early election date of April 16, 2028, which precedes the scheduled May 2028 elections. Because the governing coalition currently lacks the necessary 360 votes, securing support from other political factions will be essential. This political maneuvering occurs amidst a shifting landscape following the emergence of the ‘New Party,’ founded by Ozgur Ozel and 90 other deputies, which has become a significant force in the opposition.