Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced his resignation last week. His decision to step down after less than two years in office (and halfway through his term) is the result of a power struggle between Davutoglu and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and signals the beginning of the next phase in Erdogan's efforts to consolidate power. His resignation not only portends greater authoritarianism in Turkey but renewed tensions with Europe as well: Erdogan is skeptical of the deal Davutoglu negotiated with the European Union to deal with the continent's refugee crisis and is likely to reject its key terms.
Davutoglu, a long-serving foreign minister, was handpicked by Erdogan to serve as prime minister, the most important position in Turkey's government, after he had served three terms — the constitutional limit — as prime minister himself. In August 2014, Erdogan won the country's first election for president, a largely ceremonial post, but he had made it clear that he sought constitutional reform that would create a powerful chief executive — and he would be it.
Davutoglu apparently enjoyed being the country's top official and proved reluctant to push the reforms Erdogan sought. On numerous issues, such as relations with the EU, peace talks with Kurdish militants and the treatment of journalists who criticized Erdogan, he challenged the president, staking out a more moderate position, much to Erdogan's fury.