Turkey's presidential election scheduled for June 2023 may be held a month earlier, TGRT TV reported on Wednesday, citing sources in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which is headed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The AKP has proposed holding the elections on May 14 instead of June 18, as stipulated by the legislation, explaining this by the possibility of a second round of voting, which would take place in July, to have the low voter turnout at the start of the vacation season. On the other hand, TGRT notes, the timing of the planned elections coincides with university exams, which could also have a negative impact on turnout and the outcome of the vote.
Erdogan's party has not yet commented on the possible postponement of the elections. Earlier, the incumbent president and representatives of the AKP said that the elections will take place as planned on June 18, 2023.
The People's Alliance, which unites the AKP and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), had earlier nominated Erdogan as a common candidate for president. The Turkish leader has repeatedly urged the opposition to name its presidential contender, but its representatives say they will do so when they deem it necessary.
Turkey's previous presidential election was held on June 24, 2018. Erdogan won 52.5% of the vote.
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Based on materials from TASS