Decree out making first changes in Turkey's new system

Alongside ceremonies marking Turkey's transition to a new system of government, on Monday a fresh statutory decree amending laws and existing decrees to provide harmony with constitutional changes was published in the Official Gazette.

Last month's elections marked Turkey's transition to an executive presidential system of government, doing away with the prime minister's post, among others. The changes had been ratified in an April 2017 constitutional referendum.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who won the June 24 elections with a majority of votes and was sworn in on Monday, first announced the possible changes prior to the elections, some of which were realized today under the statutory decree.

Statutory Decree No. 703 abolished some laws on the organization and functions of some ministries and institutions. It also merged some ministries.

Under the decree, the Family and Social Policies Ministry and Labor and Social Security Ministry were merged under the new Labor, Social Services and Family Ministry.

The Finance Ministry was renamed the Treasury and Finance Ministry, while legislative regulations on the Food, Agriculture and Livestock Ministry and Forest and Water Management Ministry were abolished.

It also renamed the Transport, Maritime and Communications Ministry the new Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry, and renamed the Science, Industry and Technology Ministry the new Industry and Technology Ministry.

The Customs and Trade Ministry was also renamed the Trade Ministry.

The decree also changed the title of the head of the nation's intelligence agency from undersecretary to director.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) were also linked to the presidency from their previous affiliation, the Cabinet.