Turkish Interim Cabinet members together for last meeting

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu met with his Cabinet for its final session on Monday, which was followed by a farewell and an appreciation dinner for the interim government's Cabinet ministers and their spouses. Following the Nov. 1 elections that resulted with the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) achieving a striking victory with 49.5 percent of the vote, Davutoğlu left for a short vacation with his family for five days where he had still continued preparations for the new government program as well as the 100-day program. The 100-day program includes the AK Party's strategic plan, which is the party's plan carry out significant reforms while fulfilling election pledges.

During the relatively brief Cabinet meeting, Davutoğlu conveyed his appreciation to the independent ministers for accepting their interim Cabinet positions. Although the final meeting was short, the topic of combating terrorism was still discussed and efforts to fight terrorism were again voiced. The interim government initially included independent ministers from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), totaling 12 ministers in the beginning. However, following Development Minister Müslüm Doğan and EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Ali Haydar Konca from the HDP resigning and two other ministers appointed to the position, the number of ministers increased to 14. Former MHP deputy Tuğrul Türkeş joining the AK Party decreased the number of ministers to 13.

After the Supreme Election Board (YSK) announcing official Nov. 1 election results, the oath-taking ceremony is expected to be held on Nov. 17, after which the new government can then be formed as early as Nov. 18. In addition, the parliament speaker is to be elected on Nov. 22 as the government program is to be announced on Nov. 23, according to the anticipated calendar.