Former PM Binali Yıldırım 'wants to become vice president'
Former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım is reportedly seeking to become the vice president when a change in the cabinet takes place, contrary to the rumors on his will to become a parliament speaker. Yıldırım has been off duty ever since the Istanbul elections were won decisively by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).
Duvar English
Former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım is reportedly seeking to become the vice president when a change in the cabinet takes place.
Yıldırım, whose political career includes various high-level positions, met with deputies recently, prompting speculation on whether he will be a candidate for the parliament speaker position.
The former prime minister, however, has his eyes on being President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's vice president, daily Sözcü reported on June 9. The current vice president is Fuat Oktay.
Yıldırım was the parliament speaker between July 2018 and February 2019 - a role he held after the country switched to a presidential system and abolished prime ministry.
He quit in 2019 to become a municipal candidate of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Istanbul for the March 31, 2019 local elections.
He has been off duty ever since the elections were won decisively by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).
The elections for the parliament speaker will be held between July 2 and 12. The candidates need to receive 400 lawmakers' support to be elected in the first two rounds. A total of 301 votes is needed for the third round.
Erdoğan is expected to chair a group meeting before the candidacy applications.