Turkey declares Erdogan as presidential candidate

Turkey’s ruling AK Party said it’s nominating Recep Tayyip Erdogan to become the country’s next president, as he seeks to retain power after more than a decade-long rule as prime minister, Bloomberg reported.

“All members of our party in parliament have signed the nomination for our party’s leader, our prime minister for president,” Mehmet Ali Sahin, the party’s deputy chairman, said in a televised speech.

Erdogan will run against two opposition candidates in the Aug. 10 presidential election.

Erdogan, 60, has said he would transform the largely ceremonial presidency into a powerful post.

Should Erdogan win, his party will need to reorganize itself after 12 years in power and select a new premier. Incumbent President Abdullah Gul has not ruled out a power swap with Erdogan.

Although there are no term limits on prime minister’s office under the constitution, Erdogan is required to step down after completing his current and third term in office according to a self-imposed party rule.