Turkish President Erdogan Says March Elections Will Be His Last

In a significant announcement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated the March local elections will be his final campaign, hinting at his departure from a role he has held since 2003.

Addressing the TUGVA young Turks foundation, Erdogan vowed that his party, the Justice and Development (AKP), would continue to lead even after his retirement, ensuring a smooth transition of trust.

Erdogan, 70, has been a central figure in Turkish politics since becoming Istanbul's mayor in the 1990s and then prime minister in 2003. In 2014, he was elected president, and constitutional amendments in 2017 shifted Turkey to an executive presidency, solidifying his power.

Despite facing diminishing popularity and losing key mayoral elections in Istanbul and Ankara in 2019, Erdogan has maintained a firm control over Turkish politics.

Nevertheless, skepticism abounds online regarding Erdogan's promise to step down, with critics wary of potential constitutional maneuvers to extend his tenure.

Despite recent setbacks, Erdogan has been perceived as a dominant leader since the AKP's rise in 2002, yet his electoral invincibility has recently shown signs of faltering.