Turkish leaders have formally tapped Binali Yildirim as the candidate to lead the party in addition to becoming its next premier replacing former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who resigned on May 4, The Associated Press reported.

Omer Celik, spokesman of the ruling Justice and Development Party, announced the appointment, saying Yildirim was chosen “with great consensus.”

Yildirim is Turkey's minister of transport, maritime and communication as well as a founding member of the AKP. He will run unopposed for the party leadership at a special convention Sunday in Ankara. Traditionally, the post of premier in Turkey goes to the leader of the largest party in parliament.

Davutoglu stepped down citing differences with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Analysts believe Yildirim’s policies will be more in line with Erdogan, who is pushing for a constitutional overhaul that would concentrate greater powers in his hands.

Supporters credit Yildirim for his role in developing the president's signature infrastructure projects, the report said, which have helped buoy Turkey's economy and boost the party's popularity.

The change in party leadership comes at a time when Turkey, a member of the NATO alliance, is facing multiple security issues, including renewed conflict with Kurdish rebels in the southeast, a wave of suicide bombings linked to Kurdish and Islamic State militants, as well as growing blowback from the war in neighboring Syria.