PM Yıldırım to become second-in-command after Erdoğan's return to AK Party

Ahead of the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) historical extraordinary congress this weekend to re-elect President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as its party chairman, the party deputy chairman in charge of organizations, Mustafa Ataş, stated that the party's bylaws may change to establish a "vice-chairmanship" position, allowing Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım to become second-in-command after President Erdoğan's return.

Speaking to the Turkish Yeni Şafak daily on Tuesday, AK Party official Ataş touched upon a possible amendment to the party's bylaws and said: "An amendment to the party's bylaws is currently not on the agenda, but there are a few matters we are currently working on. However, we are waiting for the return of our President [Erdoğan] to finalize those amendments." In regards to the changes to the bylaws, Ataş further added that: "There may be an amendment to establish a vice-chairmanship position. The matter of the vice-chairmanship position, and other matters relevant to the party, are to be amended once they have been discussed with President Erdoğan."

The 3rd Extraordinary Congress of the AK Party has also defined its motto as the "New Initiative Era" under three main areas: Democracy, change and development. While the AK Party has invited guests from international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and various diplomatic figures from Ankara, the ruling party has also sent invitations for the historical congress to opposition parties, including the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). A large number of attendees are expected to be present at the congress, and Ataş stated that a group of 70 people are currently working on the organization of the congress. Underlining the fact that they expect more than 60,000 guests to attend the congress, Ataş added, "There are a large number invitation requests … Those to be invited have already been determined, as we have limited space, thus limited means." The AK Party official also announced that a "cinevision" is being prepared for both Prime Minister Yıldırım and President Erdoğan, displaying their work and effort since the establishment of the party.