Erdoğan rejects opposition’s call for snap elections, reaffirms 2028 timeline

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has firmly ruled out the possibility of early presidential and parliamentary elections, stating that the next vote will be held as scheduled in 2028 in line with the country’s constitution.

Erdogan made the statement in response to calls from Özgür Özel, leader of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), who had urged the government to hold snap elections, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

“I remind him once again,” Erdoğan said in a speech before parliament. “Since the constitution and the election law have not changed, the presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in 2028, and local elections in 2029.”

Directly addressing Özel’s remarks, Erdoğan added: “Mr. Özel, you may have your own vision and may point to any Sunday on the calendar and say elections should be held then. But for the government and the people, there is no such agenda.”

By Khagan Isayev