Can Erdogan run for third term in Turkey's upcoming election?
The opposition declares Erdogan’s candidacy “unconstitutional” while the Turkish president says his path to run for a third term is "clear."
ISTANBUL — As Turkey rushes toward elections in mid-May, one issue surrounding the polls has risen above others: whether incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is constitutionally allowed to run for a third term.
The argument swirling around the presidential election, which is due to be held alongside a parliamentary vote on May 14, centers on Article 101 of the Turkish Constitution. The eight-paragraph clause states that a presidential term runs for five years and a candidate can be elected for a maximum of two terms.
Erdogan was first elected president in August 2014, having previously served as prime minister since 2003. He was re-elected in an early election in June 2018.
The constitution, therefore, appears to rule out an Erdogan candidacy.
