Presidential spokesman denies cabinet reshuffle rumours, says government working ‘harmoniously’
ANKARA
Presidential Spokesman İbrahim Kalın has said a cabinet reshuffle is not on the government’s agenda, stressing that the executive branch was working “harmoniously” and “efficiently.”
“A cabinet change is not on our agenda,” Kalın told reporters at a press conference on Jan. 4.
“This is a well-functioning government that takes care of the country’s issues. It works day and night and we have no such agenda,” he said.
A report published by the daily Hürriyet on Jan. 4 suggested that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan might consider a cabinet reshuffle ahead of the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) convention in spring.
One of the reasons cited in the report was apparent discord within the cabinet and a delay in accomplishing some major projects to which President Erdoğan has attached importance.
The report recalled that Erdoğan’s earlier plan was to reshuffle the cabinet after the spring convention and appoint a number of current ministers as AKP nominees for large municipalities in the upcoming local elections in March 2019.
Turkey will hold triple elections in 2019. Parliamentary and presidential elections will take place simultaneously in late 2019.
