Thinking that such an effect would occur in a presidential system is empty dreams: Erdogan's advisor

The Turkish presidential administration has rejected calls for early elections, affirming that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's term will last until 2028. This information has been reported by RIA Novosti.

Local self-government elections took place in Turkey on Sunday, and preliminary data indicates that the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has outpaced the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for the first time in 20 years. Opposition mayors in major cities such as Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir have retained their positions.

Experts attribute the ruling party's failures to the country's dire economic situation and predict that, given the opposition’s success, they may demand early presidential elections.

“The key point to emphasize is that a presidential system cannot create electoral demands against the government and parliament based on the results of local elections. Even in a parliamentary system, the impact of local elections on general elections is resolved in extremely rare cases, and thinking that such an effect will occur in a presidential system is simply empty dreams. There may be people who dream of such fantasies, but the system dismisses such consolations,” wrote Mehmet Uçum, advisor to the Turkish leader, on social media.

According to him, those who are making calculations for early general (presidential and parliamentary) elections based on voter percentages in local assemblies “should not try in vain.”

“Over the next four years without elections, which will last until 2028, Turkey will pursue a reform agenda in all areas. President Erdoğan will lead Turkey into new phases, depending on the prospects of an independent and strong Turkey. Let no one have any doubts,” the advisor stated.