Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed on Thursday that he has “no interest” in running for another term as he called for the creation of a new constitution for the country.
Erdogan, who leads the Islamic Justice and Development Party (AKP), has governed Turkey since 2003, first being elected then overseeing significant changes to the country’s federal system. In 2014, he transitioned to the presidential role after a shift toward a presidential system. The last two presidential elections, held in 2018 and 2023, have drawn international attention.
Demirtash, the former head of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), is currently in his seventh year in prison, associated with alleged connections to Kurdish separatist groups. He was joined in March by Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), who has faced corruption allegations. Protests erupting from İmamoğlu’s arrest saw over 1,000 people detained, which Erdogan described as futile.
İmamoğlu was elected mayor of Istanbul in April 2024, marking a significant defeat for the AKP in the past five years. His CHP party had narrowly lost to Erdogan in the presidency previously, using this victory to indicate a change in political trends.
In translation, Erdogan’s remarks focused primarily on his disinterest in future candidacy, without explicitly ruling out a run for the presidency.
Back from a short visit to Hungary, Erdogan voiced his belief in the necessity of a new constitution. He pointed out that Turkey’s current legal structure emerged from the 1980 military coup, advocating for a more democratic framework.
Regarding worries that his proposal could lead to the extended presidency limits, Erdogan stated, “We seek a new constitution for our country, not for ourselves.”
“I’m not interested in being re-elected or running again,” he mentioned, as reported by a UAE newspaper.
The next presidential election is expected in 2028, and at 71, Erdogan has previously hinted at wanting to extend his hold on power, although he hasn’t formally declared plans either way. Many express concern that any constitutional changes might solidify his authority and that of the AKP.
Erdogan acknowledged these concerns, urging the opposition to assist in drafting a new constitution.
“Let’s join hands. We should form our committee, rework the civil constitution, and present it to our nation,” he stated. “There’s no debate over the first four articles of the Constitution; a roadmap is all you need. You can quickly establish a delegation.”
“Turkey cannot progress into the future with a constitution crafted by a coup plotter,” he emphasized.
In another part of his comments, Erdogan hinted at a possible visit to the United States to meet President Donald Trump, whom he referred to as a “dear friend.”
“I might visit America, and I believe we’ll find the opportunity for a face-to-face meeting with Trump there,” Erdogan said. “The relationship between Turkey and America is crucial. Trump’s perspective on Turkey is very favorable, and we share a bond built on mutual respect.”
Turkey positions itself as a significant player trusted by both sides concerning the ongoing conflict involving its ties with Russia and its stance on Hamas in the Israeli context. Erdogan last spoke with Trump in early May, where he noted that Trump had invited him to the U.S.
