Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan considers proposing Turkish-born American economist Daron Acemoğlu to take the reins of the Turkish economy in his new cabinet, columnist Nagehan Alçı wrote in Habertürk newspaper on Saturday.

Daron Acemoğlu is currently the Elizabeth and James Killian Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research interests include political economy, economic development, human capital theory, growth theory, innovation, search theory, network economics and learning. Acemoğlu is among the 10 most cited economists in the world.

According to columnist Nagehan Alçı, Turkish President Erdoğan is seeking new names for his cabinet. An important source told Alçı that Acemoğlu might be among the names in Erdoğan’s list.

“Acemoğlu, who is one of the best economists in the world, may achieve a historical task with a vision to solve the structural problems of Turkish economy. Erdoğan, who has always been a leader that goes beyond the ordinary and surprises everyone, can propose Acemoğlu to lead the Turkish economy by handing him all powers necessary,” Alçı said.

In fact, Acemoğlu is quite popular nowadays in the region as a potential saviour for countries struggling with economic problems. In May, Armenia’s new President Nikol Pashinyan announced on Facebook that he talked with Acemoğlu and asked for his help for the restoration of the Armenian economy.

"[Acemoglu] said that he is ready to help Armenia in restoring and developing the economy. Mr. Acemoglu has accepted my invitation to visit Armenia,” Pashinian said.

In 2011, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also proposed Acemoğlu to become Turkey’s permanent representative at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, in Paris, however Acemoğlu declined his offer citing his ongoing academic career.