Outgoing Turkish Prime Minister Signals Disaffection in Farewell Speech

Outgoing Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu signaled disaffection with the country’s course in a farewell speech at an extraordinary ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) meeting that appointed Binali Yildirim as his successor on Sunday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Davutoglu's successor Yildirim is described as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's loyalist in his quest to consolidate power.

"Going to this extraordinary convention after a successful election was not something I had demanded. I am also aware of the questions it has created in your conscious," Davutoglu said, as quoted by the Hurriyet Daily News.

Davutoglu, who assumed office after the last elections on November 24, 2015, defended the decision to hold the extraordinary AKP convention to hand over power, citing concerns that the party would "suffer" otherwise.

"There is nothing more important than the AK Party and its movement," he stressed in a speech characterized as "highly emotional."

The outgoing prime minister was cited highlighting a pro-freedom and democratic constitution as "one of the most important priorities of the new era."

Earlier in May, Davutoglu confirmed media reports that he would step down from the post of the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) leader and consequently the post of the country's prime minister after an extraordinary meeting of party leaders scheduled on May 22.