Turkish PM to stand down

Turkish PM to stand down
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has announced that he is stepping aside while announcing a congress on May 22 to anoint the party’s future leader, Reuters reported.

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party will hold a fresh leadership election later this month, Davutoglu added on Thursday.

TRT World reported him assuring the party’s supporters not to worry because the AK Party government will continue in the strong path as before.

Davutoglu stated that he would not stand in the vote for the party chairmanship, a role he currently holds alongside the premiership, meaning he will also be replaced as prime minister, Anadolu Agency reported.

Speaking at a news conference in Ankara following a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Board (MYK), Davutoglu said the extraordinary congress would be held on May 22.

“I do not intend to be a candidate in an absence of consensus,” he said.

His decision came after consulting party bodies and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, pointing to a recent move by the 50-member Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK) to remove his right to appoint local leaders of the AKP.

He said he preferred to leave the seat himself, instead of changing his associates, highlighting that he would remain friends with Erdogan.

“I have no sense of failure or regrets in taking this decision,” Davutoglu said, speaking at a press conference evaluating his prime ministry following the MYK meeting.

Davutoglu said resignation was not “my choice but a necessity.”

“The changing of chairs is more proper; I do not want to be a candidate at the congress,” he added.

“Our relationship of loyalty with the president will continue,” he also vowed. “His and his family’s honour is my honour and his family is my family,” said Davutoglu.

Davutoglu also said that he would continue to carry out his duties as a parliamentary deputy for Konya in central Anatolia after he leaves office.

The party held its last extraordinary congress in August 2014, when Davutoglu replaced Erdogan as prime minister after Erdogan became president.

Davutoglu said his prime ministry was a success in terms of investments and the struggle against terrorism.

He also praised his interim government between the June 7, 2015, election, in which the AK Party failed to gain enough parliament seats to form a government, and the Nov. 1, 2015, polls which put the party back into full power.

During the period, the party showed a “will of steel” against “jackals” who expected chaos.

The party realized significant reform after the Nov. 1, 2015, election, he said.

Meanwhile, Erdogan commented on the congress decision, saying it was Davutoglu’s decision.

“I wish him well. It is the prime minister’s own decision,” Hurriyet Daily News quoted Erdogan as saying.

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