Binali Yildirim, Turkey's Transportation Minister and now presumptive prime minister, is a loyal ally of the Turkish president. (AP)
Incoming Turkey PM vows ‘total harmony’ with Erdogan
The new appointment comes less than two weeks after Ahmet Davutoglu, who had served as prime minister since August 2014, stepped down
Turkey’s incoming prime minister has vowed ‘total harmony’ with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, weeks after his predecessor stepped down after pressure from the strongman president.
The country’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Thursday named Transport Minister Binali Yildirim, a close ally of Erdogan, as the sole candidate to become the country's next prime minister.
The post means that he automatically becomes the premier – a post that Turkey’s constitution decrees is the most powerful.
The new appointment comes less than two weeks after Ahmet Davutoglu, who had served as prime minister since August 2014, stepped down.
While Davutoglu and Erdogan were long staunch allies, the two fell out earlier this year after what was reported to be dozens of simmering disagreements.
Erdogan took the traditionally ceremonial role of president in 2014 after 11 years as prime minister. He is currently seeking to amend the constitution to make give the office of the president executive powers.
(With AFP)
