Turkey: AK Party to name new chairman nominee Thursday

Earlier this month, PM Davutoglu announced he would not stand in vote for party chairmanship

Turkey: AK Party to name new chairman nominee Thursday

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party will announce Thursday a candidate for its chairmanship, a party source said Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced he would not stand in the vote for the party chairmanship, a role he currently holds alongside the premiership, meaning he will also be replaced as prime minister.

The party's highest decision-making body, the Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK), will gather on Thursday at 11.00 a.m. local time (0800GMT), the party source said on condition of anonymity.

After the meeting, the new candidate for the chairmanship will be revealed.

The chosen candidate is to be elected in an extraordinary congress on Sunday. He is expected to become the country's next prime minister.