2023 Turkish general election

The previous Turkish general election took place in 2018. The election marked the country's transition from a parliamentary system to a presidential one, as narrowly endorsed by voters in the 2017 constitutional referendum. That election resulted in a victory for incumbent president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who had held the position since 2014. Meanwhile, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) lost its absolute majority in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey for the first time since June 2015, forcing it to rely on its coalition partner, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) of Devlet Bahçeli, to pass legislation. The office of the Prime Minister of Turkey was abolished on 12 July 2018, and its last holder, Binali Yıldırım, took office as the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly.

Although there were speculations about a snap election prior to the regular one in 2023, Bahçeli ruled them out. In a written statement, he said that elections would not be held before 2023. He also confirmed that the current coalition between AK Party and MHP will remain intact and Erdoğan will be their joint nominee for President.[2] On 9 June 2022, Erdoğan declared his candidacy.[3] on 22 January 2023 President Erdogan announced he would initiate snap elections 10 March which would bring the election date forward from 18 June to 14 May.[4] However, the impact of the devastating Turkey–Syria earthquake on voter’s opinions is not yet known.

At least one party has been blocked from standing in the election despite a court ruling in its favour.[5]

The Supreme Election Council announced the following election calendar for the 2023 presidential elections and the parliamentary elections.[6]

• 18 March: The Supreme Election Council announces the official start of the election cycle.
• 19 March: Submission of candidacy applications to the Supreme Election Council.
• 20 March: Independent presidential candidates can apply until 17.00. Applications of independent candidates are examined by the Supreme Election Council and the candidates will be notified if their application is missing documents or other shortcomings as of 23:00.
• 21 March: Independent presidential candidates whose application has been rejected by the Supreme Election Council, can appeal and request a re-examination until 17:00.
  • Deadline for political parties to nominate a presidential candidate.
• 24 March: Deadline for political parties to decide whether or not to participate in the elections within an electoral alliance.
• 28 March: Announcement of the temporary list of presidential candidates and start of appeal applications.
• 31 March: Announcement of the final list of presidential candidates.
• 1 April: Presentation of ballot paper with the presidential candidates.
• 8 April: Drawing of lots to determine the positions of alliances and political parties on the ballot.
• 9 April: Deadline for submission of parliamentary candidate lists.
• 12 April: Finalization of the domestic and international voter registers.
• 27 April: Start of voting procedures at customs gates and abroad.
• 9 May: Deadline for voting abroad.
• 13 May: End of election propaganda and start of election silence at 18:00.
• 14 May: Voting day. Announcement of the temporary results of the presidential election at 23:59.
• 19 May: Announcement of the final election results by the Supreme Election Council.

In case of a two-rounded presidential election:

• 15 May: Start of election propaganda for the second round of the presidential election.
• 20 May: Start of voting procedures at customs gates and abroad.
• 24 May: Deadline for voting abroad.
• 27 May: End of election propaganda and start of election silence at 18:00.
• 28 May: Voting day. Second round of the presidential election.
• 29 May: Announcement of the temporary results of the presidential election.
• 1 June: Announcement of the final results of the presidential election.

• List of elections in 2023
• Opinion polling for the 2023 Turkish general election