Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has appointed two of his close political hardliners to the cabinet. The former Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akan Gurlek became the Minister of Justice, and the former Erzurum Governor - the theologian Mustafa Ciftci - took over the Interior Ministry.
Gurlek's position means that he will also serve as chairman of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors. The former Istanbul Chief Prosecutor will control personnel policy - the appointment and transfer of judges, as well as the initiation of disciplinary proceedings. In the future, his powers will also include control over prisons.
Critics fear that Gurlek will influence all appointments in the judiciary in favor of the government, which will likely have a direct effect, especially on ongoing investigations and trials against the opposition. "As chief prosecutor, Gurlek has controlled the Istanbul judiciary until now, now it is the turn of the entire country", observers note.
More repression against the opposition?
These personal decisions are perceived in Turkey as a signal of an even more repressive political line. In legal circles, Gurlek is expected to appoint new people to a number of key positions.
The political focus is on the case against Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). Gurlek is already known for the cases he has led against prominent opposition figures. Under his leadership, the former co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party, Selahattin Demirtaş, was sentenced to almost five years in prison. He was also banned from political activity. The former chairwoman of the HDP's Istanbul branch, Canan Kaftancioglu, was also imprisoned during Gürlek's term, which also excluded her from active politics. Kaftancioglu is considered the architect of the HDP's Istanbul election victory.
Gürlek vs. İmamoğlu
Under Gürlek's presidency, human rights activist Şebnem Korur Fincanci was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison on charges of terrorist propaganda. Gürlek has repeatedly prosecuted politically motivated cases, even ignoring the decisions of the Constitutional Court. This did not prevent his rise: in 2024, he was appointed Chief Prosecutor of Istanbul. Since then, the investigations against Istanbul Mayor and Erdogan opponent Ekrem İmamoğlu have only increased.
Gürlek had seven cases against him before İmamoğlu was detained in March 2025 on corruption charges. In this regard, the prosecutor's office has charged over 400 other people. In addition, İmamoğlu is being investigated for "political and military espionage". The investigations cover more and more cities, and new mayors from the RPP are constantly being arrested.
The Religious Interior Minister
The new Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi graduated from political science at Ankara University, after which he began working in the administration. He later graduated in theology. After winning a Quran recitation competition organized by the Directorate of Religious Affairs, Diyanet, he was called Hafiz - i.e. a person who knows the Quran by heart. Ciftci was most recently governor of Erzurum, one of the country's conservative provinces.
He has repeatedly courted controversy by taking actions that have drawn criticism from secular circles, such as visiting the grave of the executed cleric Iskilipli Atif Hoca, an opponent of the founding of the Turkish Republic. Ciftci also drew criticism as governor of Erzurum after ordering the demolition of a building that occupied a central place in the history of the Turkish Republic. His son's social media posts, in which he boasts about the privileges stemming from his father's position, have also caused discontent.
The political climate is becoming increasingly dark and tense
With the new hardliners in the government, the opposition expects an even tougher approach against critics. In addition, there is talk in parliamentary circles that Interior Minister Çiftçi is close to Erdogan's son Bilal, whom the president may be grooming as his successor. This personal decision by Erdogan is seen as preparation for the coming era.
From the opposition's point of view, Gürlek's appointment is a clear signal that the president intends to take an even harder line against his critics. "This is an open reward for Gürlek's approach against our party, our mayors and democracy," wrote RNP deputy chairwoman Gül Çiftçi, who is not related to the new Interior Minister.
The cabinet reshuffle is also seen as preparation for the upcoming elections in 2028. The opposition speaks of a new phase of division and oppression. Critics agree that the political climate will become even more acute and polarized.
Authors: Erkan Arikan | Elmaz Topcu