Turkish PM to be replaced, possibly by president's son-in-law

Tensions have been mounting between Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu, leading to the expectation that the latter is to resign early on Thursday during a news conference after a gathering of the party's central executive committee. Davutoglu is also the leader of the ruling AK Party.

While no official statement has been released, a 90-minute crisis meeting on Wednesday, described by local media as critical for Davutoglu's future, led to an extraordinary congress to be held later this month. Speculations are going around that this could signal his exit.

Such a meeting would allow for the election of a new party head. According to AKP convention, the posts of party boss and head of government always go to the same person.

The conflict between the two politicians has been growing for some time. The PM backed a deal with the EU to stem the flow of refugees while the president has shown less interest on the subject. The two have also clashed over whether journalists should be held in pre-trial detention.

Additonally, analysts see it as a severe blow to Davutoglu’s authority that as of last week, the executive committee of the AKP removed his right to appoint regional party officials.

Potential successors include Transport Minister Binali Yildirim and the youthful Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, 38, who is married to the president's eldest daughter Esra.