Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accepted the resignations of the country’s ministers of interior and justice and appointed new officials to lead the key portfolios, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette.
The decree confirmed that Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc was relieved of his duties following his resignation request. He will be succeeded by Akin Gurlek, who previously served as Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor. In a parallel move, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya also stepped down after submitting his resignation, and Erzurum Governor Mustafa Ciftci has been appointed to take over the interior ministry.
The changes mark a significant reshuffle within Erdogan’s cabinet, affecting two ministries central to Turkey’s legal system and domestic security framework. No detailed explanation was immediately provided regarding the reasons behind the resignations.
Tunc had served as minister of justice since June 2023, when he was appointed following the formation of a new government after presidential and parliamentary elections. During his tenure, the justice ministry oversaw high-profile judicial proceedings and reforms within the court system. Before becoming minister, Tunc was a member of parliament and held senior roles within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).
His successor, Akin Gurlek, is known for his work within the judiciary. As Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor, Gurlek handled a range of prominent cases in Turkey’s largest city. His appointment signals continuity in judicial leadership drawn from within the prosecutorial ranks.
Ali Yerlikaya also assumed office in June 2023, replacing longtime Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. As interior minister, Yerlikaya was responsible for overseeing law enforcement agencies, internal security operations, migration management and disaster response coordination. Prior to joining the cabinet, he served as governor of Istanbul and held several other governorships across the country.
Mustafa Ciftci, the newly appointed interior minister, previously served as governor of Erzurum, a province in eastern Turkey. His experience in regional administration is expected to shape his approach to national security and public order issues.
The reshuffle comes at a time when Turkey continues to navigate domestic security challenges and ongoing legal reforms. The swift appointments ensure that both ministries will continue functioning without interruption as the new ministers assume their duties.
The presidential decree took effect immediately upon publication, formalizing the transition in leadership at the interior and justice ministries.
