End of an Era: Erdogan Declares March Elections His Last

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared the upcoming local elections on March 31 as the final vote under his leadership in a statement reported by the state-run Anadolu news agency. This unexpected announcement marks a significant moment in the career of modern Turkey’s most influential political figure, who has steered the country’s helm for over two decades.

Re-elected for a five-year term in the fiercely contested May 2023 elections, Erdogan’s latest remarks unveil his intention to step aside from the electoral arena. “This is a final for me; under the mandate given by the law, this is my last election,” Erdogan said. “The result that will come out will be the transferring of a legacy to my siblings who will come after me,” he was cited as saying by Anadolu.

Erdogan’s political journey has been marked by a series of electoral victories since 2002, consolidating his position as a dominant force in Turkish politics. Elected president of Turkey in 2014 after serving as prime minister for a decade, Erdogan has steered the country through numerous challenges and transformations. During his tenure, Turkey has navigated economic growth phases, significant geopolitical shifts, and a series of domestic and international crises.

As the founder and leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Erdogan’s political journey has been marked by a combination of development initiatives, controversial reforms, and an increasingly centralized power structure. However, his leadership has been accompanied by criticism over concerns of authoritarianism and press freedom.