"THE succession was seamless. On August 10th Recep Tayyip Erdogan became Turkey’s first popularly elected president after sweeping 52% of the vote. On August 27th he stepped down from the leadership of his Justice and Development (AK) party at a packed convention in Ankara. His handpicked successor (and foreign minister), Ahmet Davutoglu, was duly elected AK’s new leader. He was due to be sworn in as prime minister after we went to press. Mr Erdogan outlined his vision for “a new Turkey” in a farewell speech before thousands of party members. Many themes were well worn: a list of AK’s undeniable achievements and Mr Erdogan’s plans for a “new era” (he called it a “holy conquest”) that would bring Turkey more prosperity, piety and global influence. Although the role of the president is at present ceremonial, Mr Erdogan has made clear that he will continue to run the country until a general election next summer. His ambition is then to be given full executive powers. This can happen only if AK wins enough seats in parliament (two-thirds, or three-fifths with a later referendum) to rewrite the constitution by itself." The Economist
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has approved the new cabinet, the Presidential Press Office said in a statement.
“The president has approved Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s formation of the 62nd Government of the Republic of Turkey,” Friday's statement said.
Mavi Boncuk |
Turkey's new prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, on Friday unveiled a cabinet that sent a strong signal of policy continuity a day after his predecessor Recep Tayyip Erdogan was sworn in as president, keeping key economy management posts intact and promoting Mr. Erdogan's most loyal advisor and deputy chairman of the party.
Mr. Davutoglu confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Turkey's economy czar and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek will retain their posts, a relief to investors concerned by signals in recent weeks that economic policy in the new administration could veer in a more populist direction.
The new premier also named two new deputy prime ministers, Numan Kurtulmus, the deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party or AKP, and Yalcin Akdogan, an aide to Mr. Erdogan. Both men are seen as staunch loyalists of Mr. Erdogan.
Mr. Davutoglu's vacated role at the foreign ministry was taken by European Union Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
The announcement sent the Turkish assets slightly higher, with stocks and the lira gaining against the dollar although the currency later reversed those gains.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc
Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan
Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan
Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu
EU Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkir
Minister of Family and Social Policies Aysenur Islam
Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdag
Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Fikri Isik
Minister of Customs and Trade Nurettin Canikli
Minister of Environment and Urban Planning Idris Gulluce
Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci
Minister of Youth and Sports Akif Cagatay Kilic
Minister of Internal Affairs Efkan Ala
Minister of Transport, Maritime and Communication Lutfi Elvan
Minister of Labour and Social Security Faruk Celik
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz
Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mehmet Mehdi Eker
Development Minister Cevdet Yilmaz
Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik
Minister of Finance Mehmet Simsek
Minister of National Education Nabi Avci
Minister of National Defence Ismet Yilmaz
Minister of Forest and Water Management Veysel Eroglu
Minister of Health Mehmet Muezzinoglu