4th June 2023 – (Ankara) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced a major reshuffle of the government, including the appointment of new heads for key departments. Hakan Fidan, who previously headed the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), has been appointed as the new head of the Foreign Ministry. General Yasar Guler, former Chief of the General Staff, will now lead the National Defense Ministry. Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya has been appointed as the new head of the Interior Ministry, while Mehmet Simsek, a former Finance Minister, has been tasked with dealing with the country’s economic challenges.
Erdogan has not increased the number of vice presidents, but has replaced Fuat Oktay with former government member Cevdet Yilmaz. Two ministers, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca and Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, will remain in their positions.
The new Justice Minister will be Yilmaz Tunc, while Osman Ashkin Bak will head the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Omer Bolat has been appointed as the new Minister of Trade, and Abdulkadir Uraloglu will lead the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
Mehmet Ozhaseki will head the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, and Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas will be the new Minister for Family and Social Services. Vedat Isikhan has been appointed as the new head of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, while Yusuf Tekin is set to become the new Minister of National Education. Mehmet Fatih Kacir will head the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and Ibrahim Yumakli has been appointed as the new Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
The reshuffle is seen as a significant move by Erdogan to address the country’s challenges in various sectors. The appointment of Fidan to the Foreign Ministry is particularly noteworthy, as he is known for his expertise in intelligence and security matters. The new ministers will be expected to tackle the economic challenges facing Turkey, as well as the ongoing political and social issues in the country.