Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s president, is reportedly considering holding an early election to seek a fourth term in office. Under the current Turkish Constitution, a president cannot run for re-election if they reach the end of their third term. However, legal experts and officials suggest that there may be ways to bypass this restriction. On September 17, Mehmet Uçum, a legal advisor to President Erdogan, hinted at the possibility of an early election, stating that if 360 out of 600 members of Parliament support the move, the vote could be held on April 16, 2028—just one month before the end of Erdogan’s current five-year term. The ruling Islamic-conservative AKP party currently holds 326 seats in Parliament, and with the support of its allies, it is close to the required threshold for an early election. Earlier this year, Uçum had mentioned the possibility of dissolving Parliament to trigger such an election. Analysts note that President Erdogan might also seek support from members of other parties or push for a constitutional reform to allow for another term. This would mark the first time in Turkey’s modern history that a president would attempt to serve a fourth term. Erdogan has been in power since 2003, first as Prime Minister and then as president after a constitutional change in 2017. He was re-elected in May 2023, promising it would be his final term and that he would entrust the future of the country to the younger generation. However, recent statements from the president have suggested he may still wish to remain in power, especially as he does not have a clear political heir to succeed him. The potential move has sparked debate in Turkey about the future of democracy and the balance of power in the country.