AK Party's extraordinary congress on May 22

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party will hold a fresh leadership election later this month, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Thursday.

AK Party's extraordinary congress on May 22

Davutoglu announced he would not stand in the vote for the party chairmanship, a role he currently holds alongside the premiership, meaning he will also be replaced as prime minister.

Speaking at a news conference in Ankara following a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Board (MYK), Davutoglu said the extraordinary congress would be held on May 22.

“I do not intend to be a candidate in an absence of consensus,” he said.

Davutoglu said he would continue to carry out his duties as a parliamentary deputy for Konya in central Anatolia after he leaves office.

The party held its last extraordinary congress in August 2014, when Davutoglu replaced Recep Tayyip Erdogan as prime minister after Erdogan became president.

Anadolu Agency

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