Turkish state assignments halted ‘with exceptions’ ahead of snap election

ANKARA - Doğan News Agency

DHA photo

Assignments to most state institutions and organizations have been halted in the run-up to snap elections on Nov. 1, after the formation of an interim government.

Days after new ministers in the interim cabinet started their duties with handover ceremonies, and one day before the first cabinet meeting, a prime ministerial notice published in the Official Gazette on Aug. 31 stated that all state assignments have been halted for an indefinite period. 

Accordingly, the appointment of military officers by court decision, appointments to be made by using the Turkey’s Public Personnel Selection Exam (KPSS) grade, and appointments of associate professors and professors have been halted until further notice.

Appointments made due to compulsory changes of location, transfers due to spouse-related issues, appointments made after returning from military service or unpaid leave, and assignments to be made after investigations or inspector reports, have also been ceased. 

However, the halting of appointments does not include assignments in a number of public bodies such as the General Directorate of Presidency, the General Assembly Administrative Organization, the Constitutional Court, the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), the Ministry of Justice, and the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors.

Meanwhile, commenting on the halting of the state assignments by order of a prime ministerial circular, Kılıçdaroğlu said the move proved that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu did not trust his interim government. 

“The prime minister does not trust the interim government. I can say that based on the content of the Official Gazette. Almost all nominations have been stopped. [The prime minister] is saying that no nomination will be able to be made without his consent. Such a cabinet will not be good for Turkey,” he said.

The new cabinet, announced by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on Aug. 28 after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s approval, consists of 11 ministers from the Justice and Development Party (AKP), two members of the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), one lawmaker from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and 11 independents.