Close Ally of Erdogan Becomes Leader of Ruling Party and Prime Minister of Turkey

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, took a significant step on Sunday by confirming the premiership of his close ally, Binali Yildirim, thereby concentrating power in the hands of the President. Mr. Yildirim, 60, has been a founding member of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and has served as Turkey's Minister of Transport for over a decade. Following Ahmet Davutoglu's resignation from the leadership of the AKP, he presented himself as the sole candidate for the leadership position. According to a Reuters report, at the AKP congress, he was elected as the party leader with 1,405 votes out of the valid votes, making him the nominee for Prime Minister from the ruling party. The new leader of the AKP has stated that amending the constitution to increase presidential powers will be a top priority for his government. This issue was one of the main points of contention for Ahmet Davutoglu, the former Prime Minister, which led to his resignation from both the premiership and party leadership. Under the current Turkish constitution, presidential powers are limited and largely symbolic, but Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists on having greater executive powers as President. Mr. Yildirim is a long-time friend of President Erdogan, having collaborated with him since Erdogan's time as the Mayor of Istanbul about 22 years ago and was one of the founders of the AKP in 2001. He is considered a driving force behind major economic projects in Turkey and is a prominent figure who contributed to the party's success in its first decade in power. Mr. Yildirim had previously stated at a press conference in Ankara that he would make every effort for 'full coordination with the founder and leadership of the party' and promised that his colleagues at all party levels would work towards the main goal of a 'Great Turkey.' He also promised that on Sunday, after his election as party leader and Prime Minister was confirmed by the AKP congress members, he would go to Diyarbakir in southeastern Turkey to share in the pain of citizens who were violently massacred. The names of the new Turkish cabinet members are expected to be announced on Monday, June 3. In this context, who is the man nominated for the premiership of Turkey? Dozens of opposition representatives in Turkey are facing legal prosecution. Binali Yildirim is introduced as the 'future Prime Minister of Turkey.' The unconventional political rhetoric in Turkey is creating a crisis with European society. Turkey is moving from a 'single party' to a 'single regime.' The Prime Minister of Turkey will resign from his position in early June this year, continuing a path that was no longer possible for Davutoglu.