Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a meeting Wednesday, after which it
emerged that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will hold a
congress on May 22. During that meeting, Davutoğlu — Erdoğan’s
hand-picked successor — will stand down from his post as chairman of AKP
and consequently, as the country's prime minister.
Davutoğlu has long been thought to be at odds
with Erdoğan, particularly over the latter’s intent to create a stronger
presidency in Turkey, which is currently a parliamentary democracy.
Erdoğan wants to create a presidential system, for which he needs to
change the constitution, arguing it will allow the country to function
more effectively. The change, if it is enacted, will also greatly
increase his powers.
“From now on, Turkey’s sole agenda is the
presidential system and an early election,” Mehmet Ali Kulat, head of
the pollster Mak Danismanlik — seen as close to Erdoğan — told Reuters. He also forecast elections to be held in October or November.
Soner Cagaptay, director of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute, told Agence France-Presse
that Erdoğan now exercised more control than anyone in Turkey's modern
democratic history. Davutoğlu’s departure “will allow Erdoğan to
distance himself from some of his failed policies that can be attributed
to Davutoğlu,” he said.
The top two leaders of the country, while
remaining partners, have been in disagreement over other issues as well,
such as Erdoğan’s clampdown on journalists, selection of candidates for
parliamentary elections and even the still-inconclusive EU visa deal.
The political drama unfolding in Turkey could
also cause concerns for EU leaders who had agreed in principle Wednesday
to allow Turkish citizens visa-free travel to Europe, as a part of the
refugee deal that had been negotiated by Davutoğlu. After his departure,
Turkey’s commitment to the deal could come under question, various media reports said.
Turkey is also a key player and a U.S. ally in
the campaign against the Islamic State group in Syria, which the U.S.
announced recently it is stepping up. Erdoğan has often threatened to
quit the coalition if the U.S. continued working with Kurds, who are
important local players but are considered terrorists by Turkey.
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