Former Turkish FM resigns from Erdogan’s AK Party

Former Turkish FM resigns from Erdogan’s AK Party
September 13, 2019, 8:53 am

The former Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu resigned on Friday from Erdogan’s AK Party. (Reuters)

Former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has announced his resignation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party and plans to form a new political movement.

Davutoglu resigned on Friday, days after the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, began proceedings to expel him and three former legislators from the party for breach of discipline.

Davutoglu served as prime minister between 2014 and 2016 before falling out with Erdogan.

He has recently been critical of Erdogan’s policies, especially concerning freedom of expression.

Davutoglu is the second key AKP figure to resign from the party after Ali Babacan - a former deputy prime minister and economy minister, who in July also announced plans for a new party.

The Associated Press

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