Ahmet Davutoglu, the former prime minister under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, announced his resignation from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and revealed that he would soon form a rival political party.
Ahmet Davutoglu, 60, presented his resignation at a news conference in Ankara on Friday, ahead of a decision by the party administration to dismiss him.
"It is our historical responsibility and our duty to the nation ... to create a new political party," said Davutoglu, who served as Erdogan's prime minister between 2014 and 2016.
When he left the premiership, Davutoglu vowed not to criticize Erdogan publicly, but broke his silence last July in a lengthy interview in which he accused the AKP of deviating from his goals and denounced the party's decision to hold new elections in Istanbul after narrowly losing in March. Last March in favor of the opposition.
Party principles
Earlier this month, the AKP executive committee unanimously decided to refer Davutoglu to a disciplinary committee for his dismissal.
After announcing his resignation, Davutoglu described the decision of the party administration as "very dangerous" and "incompatible" with the founding principles of the party.
He pointed out that he had never imagined that he would face a request for his dismissal from the Justice and Development Party, adding that he had not received any response "to refute" his criticism and what was observed in the party, nor did his calls receive "listening ears."
Davutoglu's announcement comes as other prominent party figures such as former President Abdullah Gul and former Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, both founding members of the AKP, have distanced themselves from Erdogan.
Babacan, a former deputy prime minister in charge of overseeing Turkey's economy, announced in early July his resignation from the party because of "deep disparities" and the need for a "new vision."