Did Erdogan just announce his intention for 3rd presidential term?

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s speech on Nov. 10 after the cabinet meeting was received as a signal of his willingness to run for another term as the president of Türkiye.

”As long as Allah grants us life and our nation concurs, we are going to continue to serve Türkiye and our nation,” Erdogan stated.

Though President Erdogan’s statement appeared a part of the routine, many prominent opposition journalists suggested it hints at his intent to seek another term.

To be clear: No remark from President Erdogan can confirm his possible intention to run again in 2028.

Constitutional amendment may be required for another term

Another Erdogan term depends on a constitutional amendment if the Turkish Parliament does not trigger a snap election.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) strongly opposes any constitutional amendments that may become a pathway for another Erdogan term.

Erdogan’s confidant, and the speaker of the Turkish Parliament Numan Kurtulmus, underlined right before Erdogan’s statement on Nov. 10, ”There is no early elections agenda in Türkiye right now. Erdogan will be serving in his post until 2028.”

‘Erdogan, Imamoglu, Yavas the candidates’

Opposition journalist Ismail Saymaz commented that Erdogan’s statement means the declaration of Erdogan’s intention to run for another term.

Saymaz is convinced that Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas will officially declare their candidacies as well.

Another opposition journalist Nevsin Mengun argued that Erdogan’s statement may hint at a constitutional change that grants him a president-for-life status.