ANKARA, Aug 27 (AFP): Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) met Wednesday for a congress to confirm Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to succeed Recep Tayyip Erdogan as party leader and premier when he becomes president this week.
The vast congress, which is expected to muster some 40,000 people at an Ankara sports arena, is a key step in a tightly-choreographed process to ensure the succession goes smoothly.
Erdogan-who has ruled Turkey as premier for over a decade with Islamic-tinted and development-focused policies-will be sworn in as president on Thursday after his victory in the August 10 election.
The congress is a largely ceremonial affair with Davutoglu the only candidate for party leader and premier after his candidacy was agreed by the party's executive committee last week.
Erdogan entered the congress with his wife Emine to a rock star-style welcome, throwing red carnations to the crowds and a pop song booming out with the chorus "Recep Tayyip Erdogan".
The slogan of the congress "all together for a new Turkey" emphasises Erdogan's ambition to transform the country into an economically-booming world power.
Erdogan is expected to revamp what has been until now a largely ceremonial post of president into a powerful role, with Davutoglu a loyal ally who will not pose any obstacles.
"This is not a change of mission, it is just a change of names," Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara before heading into the congress.
Turkey ruling party meets to confirm Davutolgu as PM
FE Team | Published: August 28, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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