He is Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s right-hand man.<br /><br />Now Ahmet Davutoglu has been elected leader of Turkey’s ruling AK Party at a huge convention, ahead of his expected appointment as prime minister.<br /><br />He was the only candidate to replace Erdogan who is due to be inaugurated as Turkey’s first directly-elected president on Thursday.<br /><br />The post is largely ceremonial but Erdogan has made it clear he intends to stay politically active and wield power. He wants the <br />constitution changed to establish a presidential system.<br /><br />Outside the US-style convention in Ankara, supporters spoke to euronews about the changes in the party and country.<br /><br />One man praised Erdogan’s handover speech and the ex-foreign minister stepping into his shoes.<br /><br />“Davutoglu said this was a meeting about loyalty for all of us, not farewells,” he said. <br /><br />“He seemed self-confident and he is – they both are – prepared for their new jobs.”<br /><br />Davutoglu will now lead the AKP into elections next year. <br /><br />Our correspondent in Ankara, Bora Bayraktar, said:<br />“AKP delegates hailed their new leader while saying goodbye to Erdogan. Both stressed unity and togetherness in their speeches and signalled that they will work in harmony.”
