Elections in Turkey will take place on May 14 — one month earlier than expected — as the opposition continues to look for a single candidate to oppose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In Erdogan’s two decades of reign, which have included economic booms, massive development projects, as well as conflicts with neighbors, wars, and a botched coup, this election may end up being the most difficult.
“I will use my authority … (to) bring the election date forward to May 14,” Erdogan said in a video from his meeting with young people in northwestern city of Bursa this weekend.
Turkey’s next general election was officially due on June 18.
“This is not an early election but bringing it forward,” Erdogan said during the video broadcast shared by his office.
In order to avoid interfering with the timing of school exams, the Turkish leader claimed that they and their junior right-wing coalition partner had reached an agreement on a schedule change.
