In a surprising turn of events, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared that the forthcoming local elections will mark the conclusion of his tenure as the nation's leader, signaling an end to his two-decade-long reign. Erdogan made the announcement during a gathering at a youth foundation in Istanbul, stating definitively, "For me, this is final."

Erdogan, aged 70, expressed confidence in his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to secure victory in the upcoming vote. "The outcome that will emerge will be a blessing for my brothers who come after me," he asserted.

However, skepticism surrounds Erdogan's announcement, with some speculating that it could be a strategic move aimed at garnering support in the mayoral race. Journalist Ragip Soylu voiced this skepticism, suggesting that Erdogan might reverse his decision or attempt to amend the constitution.

Erdogan's political journey has been formidable, becoming the first Turkish president directly elected by the public and serving three terms since 2014. Prior to assuming the presidency, he held the position of prime minister for 11 years and served as mayor of Istanbul.

Despite his longstanding dominance in Turkish politics, Erdogan's party faced setbacks in the 2019 election, losing control of Istanbul and Ankara to the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). In the upcoming election, Erdogan aims to reclaim these key cities from the CHP.

According to a recent poll by MetroPoll conducted on March 2, CHP's incumbent Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu holds a marginal lead over AKP's candidate Murat Kurum. As Erdogan prepares for his final electoral battle, the political landscape of Turkey stands poised for a potential shift in power.