PM Erdogan announces new cabinet

In his new Cabinet announced yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan brought in six new members while reshuffling three already-serving ones. The post-June 12 general elections Cabinet has 26 members, including Erdogan and four deputy premiers: Bekir Bozdag, Besir Atalay, Bulent Arinc and Ali Babacan. Mehmet Simsek held onto his finance minister position, while Cevdet Yilmaz, known for his plans to develop Turkey's less-developed regions, will oversee the new Development Ministry. The ministers of transportation, energy, industry, foreign trade, health, customs and tourism remained unchanged, and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu kept his position, as expected. Egemen Bagis, chief negotiator in Turkey's accession talks with the European Union, will lead a new ministry dedicated exclusively to European Union Affairs. Idris Naim Sahin, Ordu deputy and former ruling Justice and Development (AK Party) secretary-general, will oversee the Interior Ministry, and Sadullah Ergin kept his post as justice minister.