Turkey: Midnight reshuffle by Erdoğan before meeting with Mitsotakis
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conducted a midnight cabinet reshuffle changing key ministerial positions ahead of a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
In a surprising move, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan executed a mini cabinet reshuffle just after midnight on Tuesday, altering significant positions within his government. Mustafa Ciftci is appointed as the new Minister of Interior, succeeding Ali Yerlikaya, while Akin Gurelak will replace Yilmaz Tunc as the Minister of Justice. This decision is expected to incite considerable debate within Turkey, particularly due to Gurelak's role as the chief prosecutor in Istanbul and his controversial actions against Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul.
The timing of this reshuffle is particularly noteworthy, occurring only hours prior to Erdoğan's meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Ankara. The meeting highlights the ongoing diplomatic relations between Greece and Turkey, particularly in light of recent tensions in the Aegean Sea and discussions on various bilateral issues. Erdoğan's cabinet changes could signal a strategic shift in Turkey's domestic policies as well as its foreign relations approach, especially toward Greece.
The implications of these ministerial appointments are manifold; they may influence not only the internal dynamics of Turkish politics but also the broader regional stability. By placing individuals like Gurelak, who has a reputation for hardline stances, into pivotal roles, Erdoğan appears to be reinforcing a tough policy direction. As the political landscape continues to evolve, both domestic and international observers will be closely monitoring the repercussions of this reshuffle, particularly in the context of the upcoming high-stakes discussions with Greece.