Can President Erdoğan run for office again? Reaction to criticisms from Uçum.

The Chief Advisor to the President and Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Legal Policies Board, Mehmet Uçum, emphasized that President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could once again run for office in line with the Constitution's provisions for early elections. Recently, Uçum shared on social media regarding the issue, stating, "The term limitation can put a country at a disadvantage during times when leadership experience and competence are needed more." He expressed that measures have been taken in the Constitution for this reason, noting that "exceptional candidacy" is made possible with early elections.

UÇUM RESPONDS TO CRITICISMS

Uçum stated that this situation is not unique to Erdoğan and reacted to the criticisms made. He said, "Criticizing our proposal to allow Erdoğan to run for office one last time with objections such as unconstitutionality, personal privileges, and opening the door to unlimited exceptions is irrational, illogical, and unlawful." Uçum added, "To approach the issue as if there is no such legal possibility and that a capricious proposal is being made is sheer ignorance and a malicious attitude."

"AN EXCEPTIONAL MEASURE WOULD BE APPROPRIATE"

In his statement regarding the issue, Mehmet Uçum included the following remarks:

"In terms of democratic functioning within the Presidential Government System, it is meaningful to present more options to the public and to renew those who represent the democratic will. Conversely, term limitations can put a country at a disadvantage during times when leadership experience and competence are needed more. Therefore, it would be appropriate to take an exceptional measure within democracy. Indeed, in our system, such a measure has been taken through the renewal of elections by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

According to the Constitution, if the Parliament decides to renew elections during the President's second term, the President can run for office once again (Constitution Article 116/3). This candidacy is an exception to the two-term rule. Therefore, it is called 'exceptional candidacy.' As can be seen, exceptional candidacy arises from a constitutional norm. This norm provides an opportunity for a President who has served two terms to run for office once more. Thus, it is not a situation unique to President Erdoğan. There is a legal exception for anyone who will serve two terms as President.

"PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN CAN RUN ONE LAST TIME"

The opportunity for exceptional candidacy for President Erdoğan can only occur through the implementation of the relevant constitutional provision. The authority to make this decision lies with the TBMM. If the Parliament decides to renew elections with 360 deputies before the general elections scheduled for May 7, 2028, for example, in the second half of 2027, President Erdoğan can run for office once again, that is, for the last time.

Given this situation, criticizing our proposal to allow President Erdoğan to run for office one last time with objections such as unconstitutionality, personal privileges, and opening the door to unlimited exceptions is irrational, illogical, and unlawful. Some may argue that this constitutional provision should not be implemented, which is also a viewpoint. However, to approach the issue as if there is no such legal possibility and that a capricious proposal is being made is sheer ignorance and a malicious attitude.

The democratic public has the right to expect that a matter will be discussed with accurate information. For those engaging in the discussion, using accurate information is an obligation. It appears that the possibility of implementing the constitutional provision that would allow President Erdoğan to run for office one last time is causing significant concern among certain domestic and foreign circles and entities.

"FEAR OF COMPETING WITH PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN"

The reason for the fear of imperialist circles is clear: They believe they will have more opportunities for imperialist operations in a Turkey without Erdoğan. Therefore, they are eagerly awaiting 2028 and do not want President Erdoğan to run for office, even for the last time. Domestically, the possibility of entering into democratic competition and rivalry with President Erdoğan for the last time in elections is causing severe anxiety for some. Ultimately, the discussion is about the opportunity for candidacy and entering the election. This indicates that if the opportunity for candidacy is opened and President Erdoğan runs, there is a fear of competing with him. The fear that President Erdoğan will be elected again, for the last time, is the main reason for the absurd objections to the legal possibility of candidacy.

The opposition must confront this: Does blocking President Erdoğan's path to the 2028 elections, despite the legal possibility of candidacy, strengthen them in terms of democratic competition or weaken them? The likelihood is that the image of weakness prevails, which could be perceived as cowardice by the electorate.

On the other hand, allowing President Erdoğan to run for office by implementing the constitutional provision and entering the race could be seen as the opposition demonstrating courage in democratic competition in the eyes of the electorate. It should be noted that the decision to renew elections in the Presidential Government System is also an exceptional situation.

At this point, opening the path for President Erdoğan, who is one of Turkey's significant gains and national values in terms of country leadership and political influence in the world, to run for office one last time in the upcoming general elections can be considered one of these exceptional situations. Utilizing this opportunity is a strong prediction that it would be beneficial for Turkey."