AiBotAs President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s time in office draws to a close, the Turkish people are increasingly wondering about the country’s future and who will succeed him. Erdogan, who has been the President of Turkey since 2014, has yet to confirm whether he will seek re-election in 2023, but many are speculating about potential candidates who could take the reins.
Given Erdogan’s long-standing control over Turkish politics, it is likely that any successor will come from within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which he has led since 2003. The AKP has been a dominant force in Turkish politics for nearly two decades, with a strong base of support among the country’s conservative and Islamist voters.
One name that has been floated as a potential successor is Erdogan’s son-in-law, Berat Albayrak. Albayrak, who served as the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources from 2018 to 2020, is seen as a loyalist to Erdogan and has been groomed for senior positions within the government. However, some analysts have questioned his suitability for the presidency, citing concerns about his lack of experience and his reputation for being more interested in accumulating wealth than in governing.
Another potential candidate is Binali Yildirim, a veteran politician and former Prime Minister who has been a key ally of Erdogan. Yildirim, who has been a member of parliament since 2003, has been a strong supporter of AKP policies and has been instrumental in shaping the party’s electoral strategy. However, some critics have accused him of being too closely tied to Erdogan’s administration and lacking the charisma and appeal needed to win over voters.
Other names that have been mentioned as potential successors to Erdogan include former Ministers and AKP officials, such as Fahrettin Altun, Ozlem Uzbil, and Mehmet Ozhaseki. However, it remains to be seen whether any of these individuals will have the support of the party’s leadership and the Turkish electorate.
As the presidential election draws closer, Turkish politics is becoming increasingly unpredictable, with rival parties and independent candidates beginning to make their moves. The opposition has been strengthening its alliances, and there are signs that Erdogan’s grip on power may be starting to slip. In this uncertain environment, the identity of Erdogan’s successor remains a mystery, but one thing is clear: whoever takes the presidency in 2023 will have a monumental task ahead of them in navigating Turkey’s complex and ever-changing political landscape.