Erdoğan to announce new AKP party leader and future prime minister

ANKARA

President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has returned to Ankara from a short vacation to announce his successor as AKP leader. AA Photo

President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will announce the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) new leader at 6 p.m., AKP spokesman Hüseyin Çelik tweeted Aug. 21.

The AKP’s Central Executive Board (MYK) has convened for the announcement.

Erdoğan will step down as leader of the AKP when he is inaugurated as head of state Aug. 28, as required by the Constitution. However, he has made it clear he wants the party to remain loyal and unified in his absence.

The person Erdoğan will announce is also expected to become prime minister without facing any challenger in the party.

The formal announcement of Erdoğan’s replacement is expected following an extraordinary congress to be held by the AKP, due Aug. 27.

Speculation has been growing that Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, a close ally to Erdoğan, was being groomed as his replacement as party chair and prime minister.