Davutoğlu implies his will to work with Babacan

Uğur Ergan ANKARA

AA Photo

During his first meeting with President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s inner Cabinet after being named Erdoğan’s successor, outgoing Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has vowed to maintain economic stability, including working with Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan in the new Cabinet.

Davutoğlu held a meeting at his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) headquarters Aug. 24 in order to work on his government’s program, as well as the upcoming extraordinary congress.

After being briefed by AKP Deputy Chair Süleyman Soylu concerning preparations for the Aug. 27 congress, at which he will be nominated as the party’s new chair, Davutoğlu held a lengthy meeting with key members of the Cabinet with the focus on the new government’s program. Interior Minister Efkan Ala; Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik; Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communication Minister Lütfi Elvan; Youth and Sports Minister Çağatay Kılıç; AKP Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Nurettin Canikli; AKP Ankara deputy and a top advisor to Erdoğan Yalçın Akdoğan; AKP İzmir deputy and also a key advisor to Erdoğan, Binali Yıldırım, were among the attendees of the three-hour-long meeting.

Meanwhile, on the evening of Aug. 23, Davutoğlu’s residence was the venue for a more confidential meeting, which was attended by Babacan, Akdoğan and Elvan.

The Aug. 23 meeting was held in a “positive atmosphere,” with Davutoğlu allegedly telling Babacan about his will to continue “working together in the new Cabinet and resuming Babacan’s economy policies,” sources said.

The markets widely consider the fate of Babacan, the government’s point-man on the economy, as well as Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek as vital, since both are regarded as the guarantors of sensible economic policies under the AKP.

Reports last week suggested Babacan could be heading for the door, but his prominence in Erdoğan’s recent appearances has changed minds.

“Recent news suggests Babacan and Şimşek, the market’s two favorite ministers, are likely to retain their positions in the new Cabinet,” said Finansbank in a note to its clients.