Media: Turkish president preparing major cabinet reshuffle

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan may carry out a major reshuffle of his cabinet, Gazete Pencere reports.

The outlet said Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir could lose his post.

The reported reason is the Chinese automaker BYD’s suspension of a $1 billion project to build an electric- and hybrid-vehicle plant in Manisa province.

The plant was scheduled to begin operations in 2026. Haluk Görgün, head of the Presidency of Defence Industries, could reportedly replace Kacir.

Türkiye’s current Environment Minister Murat Kurum could reportedly become transport and infrastructure minister, replacing Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.

The possible change is linked to the stalled Istanbul Canal project, which is intended to provide a shipping route around the Bosphorus. Erdogan announced the project in 2011, when he was prime minister. According to Turkish authorities, its construction is expected to cost $20 billion. Uraloğlu previously said Türkiye had not abandoned the project and would begin implementing it once financing was secured.

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak could also reportedly leave their posts. No reasons were given.

In February, Erdoğan replaced the interior and justice ministers. No other major changes have been made to the cabinet since it was formed in 2023.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov