Substantial reshuffle in the Turkish government

Erdogan unveiled the new government after being sworn in for a new term as president on Saturday.

Only two of the ministers in Erdogan’s previous government keep their seats, writes the pro-government Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah.

Cavusoglu is replaced

Hakan Fidan replaces Sweden acquaintance Mevlüt Cavusoglu as foreign minister.

During the past year, Cavusoglu has been deeply involved in the dialogue between Sweden and Turkey regarding the Swedish NATO application. He has met Tobias Billström several times.

“Many congratulations to Hakan Fidan for being appointed as the new foreign minister,” writes Billström on Twitter.

Fidan has a background in the military and has been the head of Turkey’s national intelligence since 2010.

General Yasar Güler, today the head of the Turkish General Staff, takes over as the new Minister of Defense after Hulusi Akar.

Mehmet Simsek is making a comeback in politics after a five-year absence as the new finance minister. During Erdogan’s long time in power, he has also previously been finance minister and also deputy prime minister.

Bildt congratulates

Carl Bildt – former prime minister and foreign minister who was Sweden’s representative at Erdogan’s installation in Ankara on Saturday – congratulates Fidan and Simsek.

“I had the opportunity to congratulate Mehmet Simsek and Hakan Fidan on their new, very important, assignment – we know each other from before,” writes Bildt on Twitter.

Simsek, who was a banker in London, is now again responsible for Turkey’s economic policy.

The appointment comes at a time when the country is struggling with rampant costs for households as a result of high inflation. According to observers, Simsek’s re-entry into politics can be seen as an indication that the government is changing direction away from Erdogan’s hitherto unorthodox economic policy, AP writes.

President Erdogan’s government consists of 17 ministers. The only woman, Mahinur Özdemir Göktas, is given responsibility for family matters and social policy.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan was formally installed for a new term as president on Saturday after winning the election on Sunday.



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