New Turkish government expected to attend to major issues on the agenda
Following the victory of AK Party headed by Davutoğlu in the most recent deputy elections the 64th government of the Republic of Turkey was formed a couple of days ago only.
As expected President Erdoğan had much to say on the formation of the cabinet and deputies he vetoed (like BABACAN, former minister responsible for the economy and a highly reputable figure in the world) did not find a place in the cabinet – that is despite the efforts of the PM, on the contrary.
Babacan, who frequently found himself at odds with Erdoğan’s demands to cut interest rates in recent months against the background of a plunging lira currency and deep political uncertainty, was reportedly persuaded to continue his political career with the AKP in the Nov. 1 elections thanks to the personal efforts of Davutoğlu. However, Babacan was said to be unwilling to take part in the government if he was not given control over the economy.
On the other hand Erdoğan saw to it that Berat ALBAYRAK, his son-in-law and Binali YILDIRIM, a veteran and one of the closest deputies to the president could get chairs in the government and indeed as the Minister of Energy and Minister of Transportation. Both ministries are known to have been responsible for huge infrastructure and energy projects, during the ruling period of Ak Party.
The new cabinet seems to be a blend of faces known to Turkish people and newcomers such as the Minister of Energy. However, the picture is very clear that the PM who is supposed to be behind the steering wheel shares the control with the president – more clearly expressed the president is expected to have almost total control over the government, in the new period as well.
Coming back to the story, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan approved a cabinet list drafted by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on November 24th, one week after commissioning the premier to form a new cabinet in the wake of the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) victory in the Nov. 1 elections.
Davutoğlu who announced the new cabinet said to the reporters ;
“There is a horizon before this government to march toward 2023. We will fulfill all promises we made, we will make structural reforms and we will work to draft a civilian constitution. The mission of this government is first of all to represent the nation; second, to carry the country to the future; and third, to make a new Turkey which surpasses the level of contemporary civilization. The government will serve the people without making distinction on whether or not they supported the AKP, Davutoğlu said, describing his government’s commitment as serving the people in line with the principle of “democratic accountability.”
The considerable delay in Erdoğan and Davutoğlu’s meeting on Nov. 24 prompted speculation as to whether there was a disagreement between the two, with Erdoğan, the founding leader of the AKP, reportedly aspiring to have his “loyalists” dominate the cabinet.
Former Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek and former Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Lütfi Elvan were also appointed as deputy prime ministers in the new cabinet.
Davutoğlu included two women in his new cabinet: the Environment and Urban Planning Ministry portfolio will be held by Fatma Güldemet Sarı, while Sema Ramazanoğlu was named the new family and social affairs minister.
Former Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu returned to this post with Erdoğan’s approval, while former Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz, former Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ, former Interior Minister Efkan Ala, former Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz, former Education Minister Nabi Avcı and former EU Minister Volkan Bozkır also returned to their posts.
SOURCE: MEDIA / Editor
