Ex-Interior Minister Soylu announces retirement, vows support for Erdogan’s 3rd term

Türkiye‘s Former Interior Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) MP Suleyman Soylu announced Thursday his decision to retire from politics at the end of his current parliamentary term.

Soylu also pledged to support President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s bid for a third term in office.

Soylu, who currently serves as chairman of the Parliamentary Internal Affairs Committee and represents Istanbul in the Turkish Parliament, shared the news during a meeting with journalists at the Anadolu Broadcasters Federation in Ankara.

“This is my fourth term as a member of Parliament, and it will be my last,” Soylu said. “I am no longer effective as an MP. Parliament has changed, and I am unable to contribute as I once did. I’ve made a clear decision—I will leave active politics at the end of this term,” he stated.

Soylu to ‘fight tirelessly’ for Erdogan’s 3rd term

Soylu emphasized that this situation is unrelated to the presidential government system, stating, “It’s not because of the system. I am committed to my word and will leave active politics at the end of this term. I have a clear decision about this. I will leave by the end of this term.”

While making his retirement plans clear, Soylu emphasized his unwavering support for Erdogan, stating, “I will fight tirelessly to ensure that Tayyip Erdogan is re-elected once again.”

Whether President Erdogan will run in the next presidential election has become a central issue, especially following his recent statements, which reignited debates about the possibility of him seeking a third term.

However, for Erdogan to seek a third term, a constitutional amendment would be required, or early elections would need to be triggered by the Turkish Parliament. AK Party officials have outlined two potential paths for Erdogan’s candidacy: a constitutional amendment or early elections with parliamentary approval. While obtaining enough votes for a constitutional amendment is a challenge, early elections with support from opposition parties are considered a more feasible option.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has expressed strong opposition to any constitutional changes that would allow Erdogan to extend his time in office. CHP leaders have reiterated their stance against a third term for the current president, firmly opposing the AK Party’s efforts to secure his continued leadership.

Who is ex-Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu?

Soylu was the longest-serving interior minister during the ruling AK Party’s tenure, holding the position from 2016 until June 3, 2023, when he handed over the role to Ali Yerlikaya.

Born in Istanbul in 1969, Soylu studied business at Istanbul University. He entered politics in 1987 through the youth branch of the True Path Party (DYP) and was elected chairman of the Democratic Party in 2008, a party primarily composed of former DYP members.

During these years, Soylu was a strong critic of the AK Party. However, in 2012, he joined the AK Party at the invitation of then-Prime Minister Erdogan. Soylu was elected as an MP from Trabzon in 2015 and was appointed minister of labor and social security in November 2015.

Following the failed coup attempt by the FETO terrorist organization in July 2016, he became interior minister in August 2016, a position he held until 2023.

During his ministry, Soylu has made headlines with his stance against the terrorist organizations PKK/YPG and FETO and their supporters.