"This is not an early election but bringing it forward," Erdogan said in a video from his meeting with young people in Bursa this weekend, shared by the presidency.

Erdogan said he would use his authority to go for elections on May 14, an adjustment he said was decided considering school exams.

This will be the most challenging election for the Turkish strongman who has been in power for two decades shaping the predominantly Muslim but officially secular country's politics.

Erdogan, a candidate for his own succession, became prime minister in 2003, before amending Turkey's Constitution and becoming president. He was elected by universal suffrage, in 2014.

The May 14 election date was also supported by opposition alliance still arguing over the choice of a united candidate against the 68-year-old, who is running for the third time in a presidential election.

An opposition party source told AFP this week that their joint candidate would be announced in February.

Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections were scheduled to be held on June 18 but President Erdogan previously signalled that the vote could be brought forward. 

* This story has been edited by Ahram Online