Turkey's ruling AKP moots plan to bring elections 'slightly' forward

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has suggested it might move presidential and parliamentary elections forward given that the slated date - 18 June - clashes with the summer holiday season.
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President Erdogan has been in power for two decades [source: Getty]

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is considering a "slight change" on the date of elections scheduled for mid-June, a senior party official said on Monday.

"We want elections to be held on June 18," party spokesperson Omer Celik said at a news conference when asked about the possibility of snap elections.

"But since this date corresponds with summer holiday season when people are travelling, ware evaluating bringing the date slightly forward."

Turkey's parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled to be held on June 18, and Erdogan previously said elections would be held in June.

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"This change of date will not amount to snap elections... There's no final decision from the higher board of the party yet, we are evaluating it," Celik said. 

Erdogan's two-decade dominance in Turkish politics is set to face its toughest test yet as the 2023 general election will involve selecting a new president and members of the Grand National Assembly.