Could elections in Turkey be postponed?

The twin earthquakes that claimed at least 35,000 lives in Turkey have triggered a new debate in Ankara on whether it is possible to postpone the upcoming general elections to a later date.

The presidential and parliamentary elections are traditionally scheduled for June, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month decided to bring them forward to May to attract more voters to the ballot boxes. The move, he thought, could put him in an advantageous position after boosting social spending that increased his popularity.

However, the earthquakes, which have damaged 10 provinces, home to more than 10 million people, have pushed Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) officials to reassess the situation.

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Turkey earthquake: Could elections be postponed?