ANKARA: The mayor of Ankara resigned on Saturday on the “orders” of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is seeking to revitalise the ruling party ahead of 2019 elections.

Melih Gokcek, a staunch Erdogan loyalist who had been in charge of the Turkish capital for 23 years, said he was acting in the country’s best interests.

“I leave my post of mayor on orders from our leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” Gokcek, a member of the ruling Justice and Developement Party (AKP), said in a televised speech.

“I bow to the request of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, not because I do not think I have been successful, not because I think I’m tired... but only because I think (Erdogan) can make our country a leader.”—AFP