Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced his resignation on Thursday, paving the way for the country’s president to pursue a tighter grip on power.
“I decided that for the unity of the (ruling party) a change of chairman would be more appropriate. I am not considering running at the May 22 congress,” Davutoglu told the nation.
Davutoglu, who had fallen out with President Recept Tayyip Erdogan, announced he was stepping aside following a meeting with executives of the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, which has dominated Turkish politics since 2002.
The decision is not effective immediately. The party will hold an emergency convention May 22 to select a new party leader who would also replace the premier.
Davutoglu indicated he did not plan to resign from the party, saying he would “continue the struggle” as a ruling party legislator.
He pledged loyalty to Erdogan, saying the president’s honour was his honour, and suggested he would not be a party to any efforts to divide the party “I feel no reproach, anger or resentment against anyone,” Davutoglu said.
The shake-up is seen as the outcome of irreconcilable differences between Erdogan, who would like to see the country transition to a presidential system, and his once-trusted adviser. It comes a day after Davutoglu’s government scored a victory of sorts, with the European Union’s executive commission recommending approval of a deal to give Turkish citizens the right to travel to Europe without visas.