Translated with AI
In Turkey, the possibility of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's son succeeding his current president is being discussed, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.
According to the agency, the topic of power transition in Turkey is increasingly being discussed behind closed doors among members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Sources claim that the president's youngest son is involved in the selection of government personnel and may be preparing for the role of successor.
According to Turkish law, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan must step down as president in 2028. However, he will be able to run again if parliament calls early elections before the end of his current term or if the constitution is amended to allow him to run for reelection more than two years later.
According to sources, the president's family and the AKP leadership are interested in Erdogan remaining in power for another five years after the end of his current term in order to pave the way for a gradual transfer of power to his son.
A Bloomberg report described the domestic and international political environment as "favorable" for such a transition of power, although its implementation is not guaranteed.
Erdoğan has been president since 2014, having previously served as Turkey's prime minister since 2003. He won the 2023 elections in the second round, receiving 52.18% of the vote.
The presidential term in Turkey is five years, and one person can hold the post no more than two consecutive terms. An exception may be snap elections. In 2018, Erdoğan won the snap elections, allowing him to run in the 2023 elections.
The next presidential elections in Turkey are scheduled for 2028.
Another potential successor previously mentioned was Selçuk Bayraktar, co-owner, chairman, and CTO of drone manufacturer Baykar, as well as the Turkish president's son-in-law. In 2024, The Wall Street Journal named him one of Turkey's most popular public figures and a possible presidential contender.
The Economist, for its part, mentioned four possible candidates to succeed Erdoğan. In addition to Bilal Erdoğan and Selçuk Bayraktar, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu were also mentioned.
Erdoğan's main political rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, was sentenced in the summer of 2025 to one year and eight months in prison on charges of "publicly insulting an official in connection with the performance of his official duties." His arrest in March led to mass protests across the country. İmamoğlu himself called the incident political persecution.
