Who Will Succeed Erdogan? Son’s Rising Profile Fuels Talk
The transition of power is said to have become a prominent discussion topic within the governing AK Party.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to speak during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, in September.
Photographer: David Dee Delgado/BloombergPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dominated Turkish politics for more than two decades and the subject of succession has long been taboo. One potential candidate, though, now appears to be emerging.
In a country where everything is choreographed by Erdogan and his inner circle, the president’s younger son has become far more visible. There are now regular reports on Bilal Erdogan’s activities on the state-run news service. His father has been taking him on more foreign trips during his latest presidential term, from meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visiting Pakistan, Malaysia and Qatar.