According to the Turkish Press, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is preparing to fire his Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu. It seems that the difference between the two men concerns the constitutional reform which would put an end to the function of Prime Minister for the benefit of a Presidential régime.

The influence of Mr. Davutoğlu within the AKP has already been restricted since the 29th April, when he lost the right to nominate regional representatives.

His successor is rumoured to be either the current Minister for Transport, Binali Yıldırım (a specialist on maritime transport and an Erdoğan loyalist), or else his son-in-law, Berat Albayrak [photo] (who married the President’s eldest daughter, Esra Erdoğan, and was rapidly promoted to the post of Energy Minister in November 2015).

An efficient university professor, Ahmet Davutoğlu progressively became a popular politician, known for his inflammatory speeches. It is unlikely that he will resign from political life - we may therefore anticipate opposition within the AKP.

Translation
Pete Kimberley