Turkey's upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections on May 14 could be the country's most significant vote in decades, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to extend his two decades in power. The elections, which were formally announced by Erdogan on Friday, come a month earlier than originally planned despite a devastating earthquake that struck the country last month. The vote will be a major test for the country, as it will determine whether it will take a more democratic path or continue on the increasingly authoritarian course set by the strongman president. Erdogan has held power since 2003, when he was first elected Prime Minister. He was later elected President in 2014 and has since sought to expand his power, with a referendum in 2017 granting him sweeping executive powers. Opposition groups have accused Erdogan of taking steps to consolidate his power, such as restricting freedom of speech and cracking down on dissent. The upcoming elections are seen as a crucial test for the future of Turkey's democracy. Erdogan is expected to face strong competition from opposition candidates, including Muharrem Ince of the Republican People's Party and Meral Aksener of the Good Party. The election results could have major implications for the country's future, as the winner will have the power to shape the country's policy for years to come.