The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will start the process for the ordinary congress tomorrow with congresses to be held in numerous towns. The party is expected to conclude all its congresses in the relevant districts and provinces by February 2018.
According to information provided by the AK Party, the ruling party will kick off the work for the ordinary congress tomorrow. The process will begin with congresses to be held in towns. The party aims to conclude all congresses in districts between Aug. 19 and Nov. 12. The provincial congress will be completed by February 2018, the party said.
The AK Party gathered on Friday to discuss the current state of the party and the process for the ordinary congress. In a four-hour-long meeting, AK Party Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan determined the dates for the congresses.
The ruling party has entered a new era following President Erdoğan's return to the party in late May. After the constitutional changes were approved in the April 16 referendum, which allowed President Erdoğan to re-establish his ties to the AK Party, the party held an emergency convention on May 21.
Following President Erdoğan's return, a reshuffle was expected within the party and the Cabinet. However, the president has yet to make a move in shaking up the party and the Council of Ministers. According to party sources recently speaking to Sabah newspaper, the president will reshape the party's leading figures according to the 2019 elections.
The president has asked ministers to prepare a six-month report on their performance, according to sources. Erdoğan will reportedly make his decision on the reshuffle by taking the reports in to consideration.
Local administrators and party officials were criticized in the run-up to the April 16 referendum for their lack of enthusiasm and dynamism. Young politicians were reportedly expected to be more visible in local party administrations, while rejuvenation in the whole party organization is expected to bring new dynamism to the AK Party. Addressing the provincial heads of the AK Party over the weekend, President Erdoğan said he is willing to change some figures in rural AK Party branches which have shown signs of tiredness and are "unraveling" with others who are more passionate and enthusiastic about the new term. "Our fellow friends in successful branches will, of course, continue their duties, but I guess you will also agree that a comprehensive change is needed in our local administrations," Erdoğan said, send a loud and clear message to his party members.