Constitutional Amendment in Turkey: Will Erdoğan Run in the Next Election?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has denied that his push for a constitutional amendment is aimed at paving the way for another presidential bid after his current term ends in 2028. He stated that the proposed changes are intended for the future of Turkey and are not linked to personal political ambitions.
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Speaking to the press, Erdoğan said: “We are not seeking a new constitution for ourselves, but for our country. I have no desire to run again or remain in office.”
Ongoing Debate Over Erdoğan’s Political Intentions
Despite these remarks, speculation continues over Erdoğan’s potential plans to stay in power beyond 2028. Past statements have fueled the debate, including his response last year to a journalist who asked whether he planned to run again. At the time, Erdoğan said, “I’m ready, if you are,” prompting further questions. A spokesperson for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) later emphasized that “the will of the people” would ultimately determine the matter.
Constitutional Amendment and Erdoğan’s Approval Ratings
Meanwhile, opinion polls suggest declining support for Erdoğan, with opposition figure and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu gaining traction. İmamoğlu faces corruption charges that opposition parties claim are politically motivated. Recent arrests involving him and several Istanbul municipal officials have sparked widespread protests—some of the largest in Turkey in the past decade.
Despite international criticism over İmamoğlu’s imprisonment in Silivri Prison near Istanbul, Erdoğan has faced limited pressure from Western allies, who continue to view him as a key partner within the NATO alliance.
Legal Limits on Re-Election and Parliamentary Challenges
Turkey’s current constitution permits a maximum of two presidential terms. Erdoğan is serving his third, arguing that his first term preceded the country’s shift to a presidential system in 2017 following a constitutional referendum.
To pass a constitutional amendment or call for a new referendum, Erdoğan would need the backing of at least 360 out of 600 members in parliament. The ruling AKP currently holds 321 seats. If the proposal gains 400 votes, it can be enacted directly without a national referendum.
Kurdish Outreach and the PKK Issue
In what observers view as a move to secure broader parliamentary support, particularly from Kurdish lawmakers, Erdoğan recently indicated that an end to the armed conflict involving the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) could enable the pro-Kurdish DEM Party to play a more active role in Turkish politics. The party currently holds 56 seats in parliament.
Opposition: Erdoğan Cannot Run Again Without Early Elections
Ali Mahir Başarır, Deputy Chairman of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), stated that Erdoğan is “not eligible to run again under the constitution enacted during his own tenure.” He added that “the government is not currently considering early elections” as a path forward.
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