President Erdoğan will be able to use this authority: It can be extended up to age 72!

The government has submitted a new legislative proposal to Parliament that envisions changes to the Turkish Armed Forces Personnel Law. The regulation, introduced by AKP deputies, directly concerns the retirement age of force commanders.

According to the current law, the commanders of the Land, Air, and Naval Forces retire at the age of 67. However, with the proposal, the President will be able to extend this age limit up to 72, provided it is increased by 1 year at a time.

COMMANDERS' TENURE LEFT TO PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE

According to the report by Veli Toprak from Sözcü newspaper, with this authority, the President will now be able to decide alone whether or not force commanders will be retired. Extensions will be made year by year, but it will be possible for them to remain in office for a total of 5 more years.

The proposal is not limited to age regulation alone. At the same time, some important requirements for promotion to the ranks of lieutenant general and vice admiral are also being changed.

In the legislation currently in force, to be promoted to these ranks:

Being a graduate of the War Academy,

Being a combat-class general in the Land Forces,

Being a deck or naval-class admiral in the Naval Forces,

Being a pilot-class general in the Air Forces is required.

With the new proposal, this provision is being relaxed and the requirement of "being a staff officer" is being completely removed.