Young, promising people have been assigned to significant posts within the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), as the AK Party's chairman, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, pledges to rejuvenate and revitalize the party.

The AK Party's Central Executive Committee and Central Decision Board (MKYK) has appointed three young figures to significant posts within the party's structure. Rümeysa Kadak, a 20-year-old MKYK member, became one of the top aides for Harun Karacan, a deputy chairman for the AK Party in charge of civil society and public relations. Kadak is currently studying at Marmara University.

Yasemin Atasever, a 23-year-old member of the MKYK, was assigned as a top aide to AK Party Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı, who is in charge of political and legal affairs. Sinan Göktaş, who has been actively taking part in political activities in the party, was appointed as a top aide for Mahir Ünal, AK Party's deputy chairman and spokesperson.

President Erdoğan has long been leaning toward changes in the party's administration. Following his return to the AK Party after the constitutional referendum in April, the president stated on May 30: "We will update all of our provincial, district and town organizations by the end of this year and revise them. This is because there is a mental fatigue, and we need to overcome this. Therefore, we need to be prepared for 2019, hopefully with a much more dynamic team."

At an AK Party meeting at the party's headquarters on July 27, the president urged deputies who have shown signs of slowing down to stand aside, stating that there are some figures within the party and local administrations that have been unwilling to carry out effective campaigns. "If there is anyone who is tired, he should hand over his position to another colleague. I will continue to be with my people. The year 2019 should be a turning point, about harmony and respect," the president said.

Speaking at a consultation meeting in the Trabzon province yesterday, Erdoğan reiterated his view that a change is needed in the party due to a lack of energy, stressing that the AK Party should be enthusiastically run. The president also stressed that those losing their posts should not be offended by the policy considering that the aim of the 2019 presidential elections is to better serve the public.

Local administrators and party officials were criticized in the run-up to the April 16 referendum for their lack of enthusiasm and dynamism.

Meanwhile, Mustafa Ataş, the AK Party's deputy chairman in charge of administrations, started to hold meetings with lawmakers on Aug. 7 regarding the reshuffle. Likewise, some provincial chairmen positions are expected to be altered in the forthcoming weeks.