Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of Turkey’s far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), on Tuesday dismissed calls for early elections, saying the next vote would be held as scheduled and would reflect the will of the Turkish people.

Speaking after his party’s parliamentary group meeting, Bahçeli — a key ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan — accused the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) of trying to “ease the pressure at its own doorstep by stirring unrest in Turkey.”

“There is no by-election; the election will be held on time, and it is the will of the Turkish nation,” he said.

Turkey’s next general election is scheduled for 2028.

His remarks come amid growing debate over a possible early vote, fueled by opposition  efforts to force elections through political and parliamentary maneuvers.

The CHP has outlined a two-stage strategy aimed at triggering early elections, including plans to force parliamentary by-elections through coordinated resignations of lawmakers and, if unsuccessful, to push for renewed municipal elections in areas where the party holds strong majorities.

CHP leader Özgür Özel said earlier this month that the party will “try every possible way” to bring the country to the polls, accusing the government of attempting to sideline its political rivals.

The opposition’s push comes as the CHP faces mounting legal pressure following its gains in the March 2024 local elections, when it won control of major cities and dealt a major setback to Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Since late 2024, a series of investigations targeting opposition-run municipalities has raised concerns among critics about an expanding crackdown that could extend to senior CHP figures.

The detention of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in March 2025, which triggered widespread protests and market volatility, has further heightened political tensions. Ongoing probes into other municipalities have added to fears within the opposition that the pressure campaign may increase.

Against this backdrop CHP officials say the party’s early election strategy is intended to challenge the government and push the country into what they describe as an “election climate,” increasing public pressure for an earlier vote.