Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reshuffled his cabinet, appointing Murat Kurum as the new Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, and Kemal Memişoğlu as the new Minister of Health. These appointments, published in the Official Gazette, follow the resignations of Mehmet Özhaseki and Fahrettin Koca from their respective positions.Murat Kurum, who previously served in the same role from 2018 to 2023, expressed his commitment to achieving the targets of the ‘Turkish Century’ under President Erdogan’s leadership. Kemal Memişoğlu, formerly the Istanbul Provincial Health Director, pledged to work diligently to fulfill his new responsibilities.The Turkish Parliament is set to convene today to swear in the new ministers, in accordance with Article 106 of the Turkish Constitution. Following the oath-taking ceremony, Kurum and Memişoğlu are expected to attend their first Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex.This cabinet reshuffle comes amid speculation about potential changes in the government following the upcoming local elections in March. The appointments have reduced the ruling Justice and Development Party’s seats in the Turkish Grand National Assembly to 264.
Key points
- President Erdogan has appointed Murat Kurum as Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, and Kemal Memişoğlu as Minister of Health.
- The new ministers are to be sworn in today at the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
- This reshuffle comes ahead of local elections in March and reduces the ruling party’s parliamentary seats.
