In a speech to AK Party delegates who earlier elected him party leader at a special congress, Yildirim, transport minister for most of the past decade and a half, left no doubt that he would prioritize the policies closest to Erdogan’s heart.
His main aim, he said, was to deliver a new constitution and create an executive presidency, a change Erdogan says will bring stability to the NATO member state of 78 million, but which opponents fear will herald greater authoritarianism.
Yildirim, 60, said constitutional change was a necessity to legitimize the existing situation, tacit acknowledgment that Erdogan has extended the traditionally ceremonial role of the Turkish presidency, Reuters reported.
“The most important mission we have today is to legalize the de facto situation, to bring to an end this confusion by changing the constitution,” he said.
“The new constitution will be on an executive presidential system.”
Yildirim was the sole candidate for party leader at the AK Party congress, called after Ahmet Davutoglu announced he was stepping down as prime minister following weeks of public tension with Erdogan.