Davutoğlu: Resignation is not My Choice
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Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has issued press statement following the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Central Executive Board that started at 12:15 p.m.
“Comrades come first. I would like my companions to march with me, and if now, I would like them to tell me”, Davutoğlu said adding that he doesn’t consider running in the congress that will be held on May 22.
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Davutoğlu’s most clear expression as to his resignation period was “We were thinking that we had established a system for four years but it lasting a short time isn’t my choice”.
“Gap arises after charismatic leaders”
“I took over the holy fiduciary from our founding leader Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. I believe I threw my heart and soul. At the stage we’ve reached, I am of the opinion to share our expectations about the future.
“The history has demonstrated that a gap arises after charismatic leaders.
“My target is to preserve AKP’s unity and solidarity. During my AKP Presidency, not a single resignation took place and nothing dropped off the party’s backbone. That was an important challenge.
“My second target was to take the country to elections in peace. The third one was terror incidents. We have actualized both getting through and binding up wounds, and comprehensive security plan.
“The fourth target was to preserve financial stability in addition to sustaining all investments”.
“We fulfilled our pledges”
“Our second term was the most critical one, between June 7 and November 1. All jackals loving hazy air had come out. There was sorrow in the night of June 7. I had told you on the balcony to keep your head up.
“On July 23, we told all our security units that since war has been waged on Turkey, we will proceed until terror is wiped out of this country”.
“We’ve formed boards for civil constitution. We’ve spoken with dissident leaders. Comprehensive operations started in all critical districts of Turkey in terms of fighting terror. Thank god all these operations are being carried out with success.
“We are living a shining spring in our economy. May no one dare manipulate economic data”.
“I took over the fiduciary”
“One of our most important goals was taking the steps as to visa exemption. [My intention] was to do justice to the responsibilities I carry as Prime Minister while doing these.
“That day, our president had said that he doesn’t want a bailee.
“I took over the fiduciary but also did justice to the post of prime ministry. I have no intervention in organization appointments”.
Why I have made such a decision”
“[...] You may be asking yourselves why I have chosen not to be candidate though we have received 49.5% of the votes. That is a fair question. [...] our terms are terms of success. Failure or regards are out of the question.
“Why have I made such a decision? Life teaches one a lot of things. I have principles which I cannot put aside.
“I have not demanded any of these positions myself. I never aimed for lobbying or claiming for any of these. I did not want to be a candidate under current conditions where there is no consensus".
“Comrades come first”
“What had happened in the last MKYK (Central Executive Board Meeting) is not of great importance. I have given the first signature. Yet I did not find the procedure very companion-like. After consultations I have had with this respect, I have decided that for the solidarity of AKP, changing the chairperson would be wiser than changing the companion.
Under these circumstances, I am not planning to be candidate. All friends should be in unity and solidarity. AKP’s faith is not AKP’s faith alone, it’s the faith of Turkey.
Maintain fraternity with the President
“My friendship with the President is above everything. I will maintain my fraternity relationship with the President till my last breath.
“The honour of his family is my family’s honour".
Expressing that he will stand against those, who try to harm AKP or go different paths with the party, Davutoğlu has added; "I owe our entire organization a debt of gratitude. And I would like to tell them I have been leading you till today, and I will be among you as of today”.
“Not my decision”
“Stating that he had assumed to have a term of four years, Davutoğlu has noted that is had not been his decision that this term turned out to be shorter and added “I would like to both thank you and want you to give me your blessings”. (BK/TK/DG)