Turkish Prime Minister Announces Cabinet Reshuffle

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced on Wednesday a cabinet reshuffle in the country, with defense and justice ministers becoming vice prime ministers and five new ministers being appointed.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – On April 16, the country held the constitutional referendum, which has expanded Erdogan's powers and enabled him to head the ruling Justice and Development Party in May. The cabinet reshuffle has been reportedly expected since then.

"Defense minister Fikri Isik and Jutsice Minister Bekir Bozdag are appointed vice prime ministers," Yildirim told a press conference.

The prime minister told journalists that the positions of the vice prime ministers were also occupied by Mehmet Simsek, Hakan Cavusoglu and Recep Akdag.

According to Yildirim, former deputy prime minister Nurettin Canikli has been appointed the new defense minister. Abdulhamit Gül, the Genral Secretary of the ruling Justice and Development Party, has occupied the post of the justice minister.

"Fifteen our colleagues remained at their posts, five joined our cabinet, and six colleagues changed their posts in the cabinet," he said.

The announcement came after Yildirim's meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier in the day.