Presidential Adviser Floats April 16, 2028 as Early Election Date to Enable Third Erdoğan Term

Senior presidential adviser Mehmet Uçum said parliament could call early elections for April 16, 2028 — 'the anniversary of the referendum marking our transition to the presidential system' — which he said would let President Erdoğan run 'for the last time.' Under Article 116, a two-term president becomes eligible for a third term only if parliament, not the president, calls early elections; that requires 360 of 600 votes, and the AKP-MHP bloc (roughly 326 seats) would need about 34 more votes than it currently holds. The proposal follows Erdoğan's September 11 reference to 'approaching elections' and AKP deputy chair Abdulhamit Gül's September 15 remarks; an AKP spokesperson has previously denied early elections are under consideration.