Ministers play 'he loves me, he loves me not' in Ankara

In his first move for the new administrative structure in Turkey following the April 16 referendum to consolidate all executive power in presidential hands and allowing the president to lead a political party, President Tayyip Erdoğan made his move and changed some top positions in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) on May 29. He had been re-elected as chairman at the party's emergency congress on May 21.

Mahir Ünal, the new party spokesman, said he was honored to have been appointed by the president for this post at this important time. He had previously served as culture and tourism minister as well as the AK Parti group spokesman in parliament. 

The changes in the party's new Central Executive Board (MYK) are not as dramatic as some had speculated. Rather, the changes indicate a gradual transition.

The next significant move is expected in the cabinet, as it is the showcase of the government. Ministers in Ankara are thus currently playing games of "he loves me, he loves me not" as they try to predict whether they will remain in their cabinet posts, or be reshuffled, or be replaced. Most of them will probably learn it from the media, or perhaps just minutes before the official announcement. 

Two general scenarios are being spoken about in Ankara's political backstage. One foresees Erdoğan making a bold change in the cabinet, changing important ministries like the Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry, and Economy Ministry. The other scenario foresees him handing the initiative for rather low-profile changes to Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, whose office was abolished by the April 16 referendum but is still holding his post until the harmonization laws are approved by parliament. 

The political atmosphere...