Turkey to hear name of its next PM today
The name of the next prime minister of the Republic of Turkey will become clear after an Aug. 21 meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), chaired by President-elect and outgoing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan, a senior Cabinet member said on Aug. 20.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız was prompted to make such a clarification after a journalist questioned about outgoing President Abdullah Gülâs remarks at a farewell reception on Aug. 19, which suggested that Foreign Minister Ahmet DavutoÄlu was likely to take over as chairman of the ruling party and thus become the next prime minister.
âOur Mr. President said: âAs far as I see, Mr. DavutoÄlu seems at the forefront.â It shouldnât be interpreted as the announcement of a name. This will become official with the final meeting, which will be held by our Mr. Prime Minister, our newly-elected President,â Yıldız told reporters, referring to a meeting of the AKPâs Central Executive Board (MYK), scheduled to be held on Aug. 21.
DavutoÄlu, meanwhile, held a closed-door meeting with South Africaâs special envoy for Palestine at the Foreign Ministry headquarters after a days-long tour in cities across Eastern Anatolia and the Eastern Black Sea. He had been sent on the trip, which has been seen by many as a sign of his impending promotion, to thank AKP voters for supporting ErdoÄanâs successful presidential bid.
Gülâs farewell reception remarks also reflected disappointment over the recent pro-ErdoÄan media campaign apparently directed against his staff and advisors at the presidency. Asked whether he agreed that Gül was âoffended,â Yıldız framed the...
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