Five Turkish ministers have been replaced in a major cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday by Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, following a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Outgoing Justice Minister, Bekir Bozdag, joined the list of deputy prime ministers, alongside Defence Minister, Fikri Isik and Health Minister, Recep Akdag.
Abdulhamit Gul was appointed to lead the Justice Ministry in Bozdag’s place, while Nurettin Canikli will take over the Defence ministry and Ahmet Demircan was appointed to lead the Health Ministry.
Julide Sarieroglu was named labour minister, increasing the number of women in Erdogan’s government to two.
The posts most closely watched by Europe, the foreign and EU portfolios remained unchanged, with Ministers Mevlut Cavusoglu und Omer Celik keeping their jobs respectively.
The reshuffle had been expected following Turkey’s April referendum on presidential reforms, in which Erdogan secured a victory, boosting the powers of his office.
The Prime Minister, who announced the cabinet reshuffle, did not give reason for the move.