Davutoğlu takes helm, pledges unity, harmony with presidency

AA Photo

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, the only candidate to become the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) chairman, and therefore the prime minister, has pledged to work “in harmony” with President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and promised “unity” within the party.

Speaking at the ruling party’s extraordinary congress on Aug. 27, Davutoğlu addressed outgoing Prime Minister Erdoğan as “my president” and stressed that the convention was not one of “farewell,” but of “fidelity.”

In a wide-ranging speech, Davutoğlu struck a high pitch not only in terms of history and ideology, but also with his tone of excitement and lofty rhetoric. A key political message ran throughout it: There will be no conflict between the president and the prime minister, who have both been elected by popular vote.

“Nobody should try to stir up controversy between comrades,” Davutoğlu said, stressing unity in the party.

He presented a nine-point of “restoration” summary of AKP rule for the past 12 years, which he said will continue in the “walk for the new Turkey.”

“With the rule of AKP, this interregnum had come to an end … We have achieved a major construction along last 12 years,” Davutoğlu said, claiming that “old Turkey” had come to a “deadlock” in 2001.

“This recovery has nine fundamentals and this determined walk in nine areas will continue,” he added, citing the economy, culture, judiciary, freedom, foreign policy and “state structure” as being among these areas.

“We are ready to make any sacrifice to carry the AKP movement to its goals,” he...

Continue reading on: