Cabinet reshuffle by Erdoğan: 2 ministers dismissed, 3 ministers appointed

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Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a Presidential decision regarding the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services.

With the Presidential decision published in the Official Gazette today (April 21), the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services has been reorganized as the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Derya Yanık has become the Minister of Family and Social Services and Vedat Bilgin the Minister of Labor and Social Security.

Erdoğan has also dismissed Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan amid allegations that the company of her spouse sold the Ministry of Trade disinfectants for 507 thousand 880 lira. These allegations were confirmed by the Ministry itself in a written statement released yesterday evening.

With the recent Presidential decision, ruling AKP's Parliamentary Group Deputy Chair Mehmet Muş has been appointed as the new Minister of Trade, replacing Ruhsar Pekcan amid calls for her resignation.

About Derya Yanık

Derya Yanık graduated from the İstanbul University Faculty of Law. She was a member of the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipal Council from 2004 to 2014. She also worked as the Chair of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İMM) Law Commission and ruling AKP Group Spokesperson.

She was elected to the AKP's Central Decision and Executive Board membership in the AKP 7th Ordinary Grand Congress.

About Vedat Bilgin

Vedat Bilgin graduated from the Hacettepe University Faculty of Social and Administrative Sciences. He was a faculty member at the Gazi University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, the Director General and Executive Board Chair of the State Railways (TCDD), the Department Head of the Gazi University Department of Labor Economics and Industrial Relations and the Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister.

Bilgin was the ruling AKP Ankara MP in the previous (26th) term of the Parliament. Most recently, he was working as the Chief Advisor to the President and Deputy Chair of the Board of Social Policies.

About Mehmet Muş

Mehmet Muş graduated from the Eastern Mediterranean University Faculty of Business and Economics. He worked as a Budget Planning Specialist in the private sector. He worked in the organization of the AKP İstanbul Youth Branch. He was the AKP İstanbul Youth Branch Executive Board member, Economic Affairs Chair and Organization Chair, respectively.

He was the AKP İstanbul MP in the 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th terms of the Parliament. He was also a member of the Parliamentary Commission of Foreign Affairs, Planning and Budgetary Commission and EU Harmonization Commission. In addition to his membership in the NATOPA Turkish Group, he was also the AKP Vice Chair of Public Relations.

Mehmet Muş was elected as a member of the AKP Central Executive Board in 2014, worked as the AKP Vice Chair and Chair of Economic Affairs, he was elected to the Central Decision and Executive Board of the party in the 2nd Extraordinary Congress of the AKP.

Most recently, he has been the AKP Parliamentary Group Deputy Chair, Central Executive Board member and İstanbul MP. (TP/SD)