Davutoglu to Leave Prime Minister Post

ANKARA, Turkey (A.W.)—Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced that he will not seek a new term as the country’s prime minister and leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKR)—a decision that many have speculated came after growing tensions between he and fellow AKP member President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Davutoglu said that a change in the leadership of the party and the prime ministerial position would “serve a better purpose,” at a news conference on May 5 following a meeting of the AKP’s central executive committee.

Many have speculated that tensions between Davutoglu and Erdogan stem from Erdogan’s aim of changing the constitution to grant more power to the president of Turkey. There have been several reports of Erdogan demanding Davutoglu’s recognition, following the AKP meeting.

An extraordinary congress of the AKP to select a new leader will be held on May 22.

Source: Armenian Weekly Mid-West