President of Turkey: It is Prime Minister's own decision

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan commented on Ahmet Davutoğlu’s decision on resigning from Prime Minister’s and head of Justice and Development” Party’s posts. “It is the Prime Minister’s own decision”, Erdoğan said, “Armenpress” reports citing “Hurriyet” journal.

A key meeting between Davutoğlu and Erdoğan at the Presidential Palace lasted for one hour and 40 minutes on May 4.

Relations have reportedly been tense between the president and the prime minister amid rumors that Davutoğlu would resign after saying on May 3 that he would not hesitate to “walk away from any job position.”

In pointed remarks before the May 4 meeting, Erdoğan said, “You should not forget how you got your post.”

Turkish Prime MinisterAhmet Davutoglu announced that he is stepping aside while announcing a congress on May 22 to anoint the party’s future leader.The prime minister and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader said in a key press meeting on May 5 following a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Board (MYK) that he decided to step aside despite success on his terms. His decision came after consulting party bodies and President Recep Tayyip Erodoğan, pointing to a recent move by the 50-member Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK) to remove his right to appoint local leaders of the AKP.He said he preferred to leave the seat himself, instead of changing his associates, highlighting that he would remain friends with Erdoğan. Davutoğlu said his prime ministry was a success in terms of investments and the struggle against terrorism.