Erdoğan reiterates cabinet reshuffle not on government’s immediate agenda

ANKARA

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A cabinet revision is not currently on the agenda of the government, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said following a six-hour meeting with Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım late on May 2. However, he did hint that a change in the party organization will take place soon after he is re-elected as leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP).  

“Right now there is no such item on the government’s agenda. The prime minister has not conveyed such a demand to me. However, after our meeting following the re-admission ceremony there are steps that will be taken. There are some subjects that have to be discussed on those steps,” Erdoğan said on May 3 ahead of his departure to Russia.

His comments came after he and Prime Minister Yıldırım met late on May 2 after Erdoğan’s admission ceremony into the AKP.

He rejoined the party after three years formally separated, as the recently approved constitutional amendment lifted the provision barring presidents from being admitted to a political party.

Answering questions about expected changes in the party organization and the administration, Erdoğan pointed to the extraordinary congress where he is expected to regain his party leadership status. 

“We will see the steps to take after that duty is officially assigned. However, if such a task is given to me by the general congress all the units will be re-evaluated, but it will be made with serious consultations,” he said. 

The AKP is set to convene its extraordinary congress on May 21, where Erdoğan is expected to be the sole candidate for leadership.