Expert on Turkey speaks on Davutoglu leaving office
Turkish Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu will shortly resign, said expert on Turkey, Hakob Chakrian during a press conference on May 4.
“The Prime Minister is expected to hold an extraordinary meeting with officials of the governing Justice and Development Party (A.K.P.) today, during which Mr. Davutoglu will inform not running for Head of the Party,” Chakrian said.
Chakrian also said that Davutoglu’s decision was made after the meeting with President Erdogan on Wednesday adding that the meeting was due on May 5, yet considering several disagreements, it was held earlier.
“The party, as well as the Government were struggling to ‘dethrone’ Davutoglu from his position as Prime Minister,” he said.
According to Chakrian, the situation became tense after Erdogan learnt about Davutoglu’s visit to Washington.
“It would have strengthened Davutoglu’s position and he would cease being Erdogan’s henchman,” the expert said.
According to Turkish Samanyoluhaber, Minister of Transport of Turkey, Binali Yıldırım, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Berat Albayrak, Ministers of Justice, Health, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister, are the 5 candidates to run for Prime Minister.
According to Ermenihaber, during an A.K.P. session, the Executive Board stripped Mr. Davutoglu of his power to choose provincial party leaders. Moreover, the issue was included in the agenda with the votes of 47 members of parliament out of 51.
Davutoglu has been the Prime Minister for more than 21 months and one of those closest to President Erdogan.