Palace leaves door open for Erdoğan's candidacy: Is an exceptional method on the way?

A notable statement has come from Chief Presidential Advisor Mehmet Uçum regarding the debates over whether President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan can be a candidate again. 

Uçum stated that there is no need for a new constitution or a constitutional amendment for Erdoğan to be a candidate once more.

Making statements on the social media platform X, Uçum referred to a text he had previously written on December 1, 2024, amidst the ongoing debates. Uçum once again rejected the claims that "there is a constitutional obstacle to President Erdoğan's candidacy."

"IF ELECTIONS ARE RENEWED WITH 360 VOTES, THE PATH TO CANDIDACY OPENS"

The most critical point in Uçum's statement was that Erdoğan could be a candidate again through an exceptional method. According to this method, if the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) decides to renew the elections with the votes of at least 360 deputies, President Erdoğan can be a candidate again.

Uçumused the following expressions in his statement:

"Until the lie that 'a path to candidacy is being opened for President Erdoğan in the upcoming general elections with a new constitution' is abandoned, let us continue to remind: There is no need for a new constitution or to change the current constitution for President Erdoğan to be a candidate once more.The current constitution already provides an opportunity for this."

EMPHASIS ON "EXCEPTIONAL CANDIDACY"

Mehmet Uçum pointed to Article 116 of the current constitution for Erdoğan's re-candidacy. According to Uçum, if the TBMM decides to renew the elections before their normal date, this opens the door to an "exceptional candidacy" for Erdoğan.

Providing an example, Uçum continued as follows:

"If the TBMM decides to renew the elections before the general elections that are supposed to be held on May 7, 2028—for example, in the last quarter of 2027 or the beginning of 2028—with the votes of at least 360 deputies, and if President Erdoğan wishes, the constitution allows for this. In this case, Erdoğan can be a candidate one more time, and for the last time."