The Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has announced the nomination of Transport Minister Benali Yildirim to succeed Ahmet Davutoglu as party leader and prime minister.
Yildirim, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip, will be the sole candidate for the AKP leadership at a special party congress on Sunday, according to Omer Celik, AKP spokesperson.
The AKP is holding the special congress to elect a new leader after Ahmet Davutoglu announced his intention to step down after a rift with Erdogan.
Yildirim said on Thursday that he would work “harmoniously” with the president.