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List of prime ministers of Turkey facts for kids

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The position of Prime Minister of Turkey was created in 1920, during Turkey's fight for independence. The Prime Minister was like the main leader of the government, working with a group of ministers called the Cabinet. They were in charge of making decisions and running the country.

However, after a big vote in 2017, the job of Prime Minister was ended. Starting with the 2018 election, the President became the main leader of the government instead.

Who Were Turkey's Prime Ministers?

From 1920 to 2018, many important people served as Prime Minister of Turkey. This role was very important in shaping the country.

Leaders During the War of Independence (1920–1923)

Before Turkey became a full republic, a special government was formed during the Turkish War of Independence. These leaders helped guide the country through a very difficult time.

  • Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938)
    • Served from May 3, 1920, to January 24, 1921.
    • He was the first leader of the Grand National Assembly government.
  • Fevzi Çakmak (1876–1950)
    • Served from January 24, 1921, to July 9, 1922.
  • Rauf Orbay (1881–1964)
    • Served from July 12, 1922, to August 4, 1923.
  • Fethi Okyar (1880–1943)
    • Served from August 14, 1923, to October 27, 1923.

Prime Ministers of the Republic of Turkey (1923–2018)

After Turkey became a republic in 1923, the role of Prime Minister continued to be very important. Here are some of the key figures who held this position:

  • İsmet İnönü (1886–1973)
    • Served multiple times:
      • October 30, 1923 – November 22, 1924
      • March 6, 1925 – November 1, 1937
      • October 27, 1961 – February 20, 1965
    • He was Turkey's first Prime Minister after the republic was founded. He worked closely with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
  • Fethi Okyar (1880–1943)
    • Served from November 22, 1924, to March 6, 1925.
  • Celâl Bayar (1883–1986)
    • Served from November 1, 1937, to January 25, 1939.
  • Refik Saydam (1881–1942)
    • Served from January 25, 1939, to July 8, 1942. He passed away while in office.
  • Şükrü Saracoğlu (1887–1953)
    • Served from July 8, 1942, to August 7, 1946.
  • Recep Peker (1889–1950)
    • Served from August 7, 1946, to September 9, 1947.
  • Hasan Saka (1885–1960)
    • Served from September 9, 1947, to January 16, 1949.
  • Şemsettin Günaltay (1883–1961)
    • Served from January 16, 1949, to May 22, 1950.
  • Adnan Menderes (1899–1961)
    • Served from May 22, 1950, to May 27, 1960. He was the first Prime Minister from the Democrat Party.
  • Cemal Gürsel (1894–1966)
    • Served from May 27, 1960, to October 27, 1961. He was a military leader who became Prime Minister.
  • Suat Hayri Ürgüplü (1903–1981)
    • Served from February 20, 1965, to October 27, 1965.
  • Süleyman Demirel (1924–2015)
    • Served many times:
      • October 27, 1965 – March 26, 1971
      • March 31, 1975 – June 21, 1977
      • July 21, 1977 – January 5, 1978
      • November 12, 1979 – September 12, 1980
      • November 20, 1991 – May 16, 1993
    • He was one of the most frequent Prime Ministers in Turkish history.
  • Nihat Erim (1912–1980)
    • Served from March 26, 1971, to April 17, 1972.
  • Ferit Melen (1906–1988)
    • Served from April 17, 1972, to April 15, 1973.
  • Naim Talu (1919–1998)
    • Served from April 15, 1973, to January 25, 1974.
  • Bülent Ecevit (1925–2006)
    • Served multiple times:
      • January 25, 1974 – November 17, 1974
      • June 21, 1977 – July 21, 1977
      • January 5, 1978 – November 12, 1979
      • January 11, 1999 – November 18, 2002
  • Sadi Irmak (1906–1990)
    • Served from November 17, 1974, to March 31, 1975.
  • Bülend Ulusu (1922–2015)
    • Served from September 21, 1980, to December 13, 1983. He was also from the military.
  • Turgut Özal (1927–1993)
    • Served from December 13, 1983, to November 9, 1989. He later became President.
  • Yıldırım Akbulut (1935–2021)
    • Served from November 9, 1989, to June 23, 1991.
  • Mesut Yılmaz (1947–2020)
    • Served multiple times:
      • June 23, 1991 – November 20, 1991
      • March 6, 1996 – June 28, 1996
      • June 30, 1997 – January 11, 1999
  • Tansu Çiller (born 1946)
    • Served from June 25, 1993, to March 6, 1996. She made history as Turkey's first and only female Prime Minister.
  • Necmettin Erbakan (1926–2011)
    • Served from June 28, 1996, to June 30, 1997.
  • Abdullah Gül (born 1949)
    • Served from November 18, 2002, to March 14, 2003. He later became President.
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (born 1954)
    • Served from March 14, 2003, to August 28, 2014. He is currently the President of Turkey.
  • Ahmet Davutoğlu (born 1959)
    • Served from August 29, 2014, to May 24, 2016.
  • Binali Yıldırım (born 1955)
    • Served from May 24, 2016, to July 9, 2018. He was the last person to hold the title of Prime Minister of Turkey before the position was abolished.

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