AK Party reelects PM Davutoğlu as chairman, announces new administrative board

Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AK Party) on Saturday has re-elected Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu as the party chairman and announced the new set of members for the party's Central Decision and Administrative Board (MKYK) during the fifth Ordinary General Congress in Ankara.

The congress saw the party's current leader Ahmet Davutoğlu nominated as the only candidate for party leadership. The prime minister was chosen as the party's chairman once again after receiving all of the 1,353 (out of 1,380 party delegates) valid votes.

Davutoğlu said Turkey needs a single-party government to fight "terror," as the country prepares for snap November polls and the army battles against PKK terrorists.

"A single-party government is necessary to fight terror and economic challenges," he said.

"We are heading towards November 1 elections on behalf of a permanent government, sustainable development and rights and freedom for everyone," he added.

The AK Party delegates have first voted to choose the Central Decision Executive Board chairman. Afterwards, a voting process took place to select the Central Decision and Administrative Board members, consisting of 50 names. 1,295 delegates ratified the newly elected members of the Central Decision and Administrative Board.

The AK Party administration invited 11 political parties to the congress, including the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). About 40,000 people have reportedly attended the congress.

During the congress, it was also annouced that the party will set up a new Political Virtue Executive Board and add two deputy chair positions in party regulations renewal.

Davutoğlu succeeded Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as the party leader, after Erdoğan was elected president in the August 10 presidential election.