Erdoğan: I will not be a candidate in the next presidential election.
In response to a question about his government’s efforts to draft a new constitution, Erdoğan stated, “We are seeking a new constitution not for ourselves, but for the entire country.” He emphasized that the goal of these efforts is to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, not to consolidate presidential power.
Erdoğan’s latest comments come as some political analysts interpret this decision as a sign of his weakening position following recent economic and social crises in Turkey. Meanwhile, the recent detention of Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş (note: the original text mentions “İmamoğlu,” but Ankara’s mayor is Mansur Yavaş; Istanbul’s mayor is Ekrem İmamoğlu) in connection with the economic crisis has also sparked significant backlash.
This formal announcement that Erdoğan will not run could significantly alter Turkey’s political landscape ahead of the next election.
