With Erdogan at Helm, Turkey to choose premier

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party were poised Thursday to choose his successor as party chairman and prime minister, with expectations high that the man who has dominated Turkish politics for more than a decade will keep charge as president. Erdogan has indicated that he plans to keep tight control of the government by transforming the normally ceremonial presidency. He has said he would employ its seldom-used powers, such as summoning and presiding over Cabinet meetings. Turkey's first popularly elected president, Erdogan takes office Aug. 28. Senior officials of Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, were meeting Thursday to pick a leader whom analysts expect to be loyal to Erdogan. The nominee to succeed Erdogan as party chairman and prime minister is to be confirmed at the party's extraordinary congress next week, according to AP.