Davutoğlu aide appointed as PM’s chief advisor

Uğur Ergan ANKARA

An adviser to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has been appointed as a chief adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office two weeks before the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) elects its new leader.

The appointment of Ali Sarıkaya was interpreted on Aug. 12 as yet another sign that Davutoğlu could soon become prime minister.

The AKP will choose its new leader and prime minister during a congress scheduled for Aug. 27, one day before President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will take over the job from outgoing President Abdullah Gül.

Sarıkaya’s name was linked to the position of deputy foreign minister in the past. He was once a student and a close aide of Davutoğlu when the current foreign minister was a university professor.