15.06.2026 10:12
Chief Advisor to the President Mehmet Uçum stated that in the current system, there is no legal concept of "early elections," but rather a mechanism for "renewal of elections." Arguing that no constitutional amendment is needed for Erdoğan's re-candidacy, Uçum said that if the Turkish Grand National Assembly decides to renew the elections, President Erdoğan can run for office one last time. Uçum also marked April 16, 2028, as a possible election date for the first time.
Presidential Chief Advisor and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Legal Policies Board Mehmet Uçum made notable evaluations regarding early election debates and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's candidacy for re-election. Uçum argued that the concept of "early election" does not exist in the current system, stated that no constitutional amendment is needed for Erdoğan's re-election, and for the first time pointed to April 16, 2028, as a possible election date.
NOT "EARLY ELECTION," BUT "RENEWAL OF ELECTIONS" In his article penned for AA Analysis, Uçum evaluated the recently revived early election debates, stating that the term "early election" does not legally exist in the Presidential Government System.
Uçum, noting that the President and the Parliament are elected for a fixed five-year term, emphasized that the constitutional equivalent of this is the "renewal of elections." He stated that the decision to renew elections can be taken by both the President and the Turkish Grand National Assembly, but this is only possible under exceptional circumstances.
"OPPOSITION'S EARLY ELECTION EFFORT WILL BE FRUITLESS" Uçum recalled that similar debates emerged after the 2019 and 2024 local elections, arguing that the expectation of early elections is not realistic under current conditions.
Stating that Turkey is not in an extraordinary political crisis, Uçum expressed that it would not be right to occupy the country with an early election agenda while critical topics such as regional wars, security issues, and the Terror-Free Turkey process are at stake.
Uçum assessed, "Unless extraordinary conditions and exceptional circumstances arise until 2028, the early election debate cannot be a concrete agenda."
NO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NEEDED FOR ERDOĞAN'S RE-ELECTION In his article, Uçum also made evaluations regarding President Erdoğan's re-election, stating that a new constitution or constitutional amendment is not needed. Uçum, asserting that the current constitution allows Erdoğan to run again, stated that if the Turkish Grand National Assembly decides to renew elections, Erdoğan could run for the last time by benefiting from the "exceptional candidacy" right.
Presidential Chief Advisor Mehmet Uçum "TURKEY NEEDS ERDOĞAN" Uçum argued that President Erdoğan does not need to become president again, but Turkey needs Erdoğan, using the following statements: "President Erdoğan's serving Turkey for one more term in domestic and foreign processes with his comprehensive experience and effective, world-class leadership is a need for the country. President Erdoğan's candidacy and election would make a great contribution to Turkey during this period when we are at a historical threshold."
FIRST TIME GIVEN A DATE: APRIL 16, 2028 The most striking part of Mehmet Uçum's article was his assessment regarding the possible election date. Stating that holding the next general election on Sunday, April 16, 2028, could be a suitable option, Uçum expressed that if the Turkish Grand National Assembly decides to renew elections in the second week of February 2028, the elections could be held on April 16, 2028, according to the legal timeline.
Uçum also noted that this date would carry symbolic significance as it coincides with the anniversary of the April 16 referendum, when the Presidential Government System was approved by popular vote.
EMPHASIS ON THE PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE Uçum stated that the determination of the People's Alliance regarding Erdoğan's re-election is evident from the statements of MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli and AK Party officials.
Uçum expressed that a strong tendency in this direction could form in the Parliament, but this issue is not expected to come to the agenda before the end of 2027.