12th government of Turkey

Refik Saydam in 1939

The 12th government of Turkey (3 April 1939 – 9 July 1942) governed Turkey during the early years of the Second World War. It is also known as the second Saydam government.

Background

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The government was formed after the general elections held on 26 March. The prime minister was Refik Saydam, secretary general of the Republican People's Party. He was also the prime minister of the previous caretaker government.

The government

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In the list below, the cabinet members who served only a part of the cabinet's lifespan are shown in the column "Notes".

Title[1][2] Name Notes
Prime Minister Refik Saydam
Ministry of Justice Fikret Sılay
Fethi Okyar
Sayfettin Menemencioğlu
3 April 1939 – 26 May 1939
26 May 1939 – 12 March 1941
12 March 1941 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of National Defense Naci Tınaz
Saffet Arıkan
Ali Rıza Artunkal
3 April 1939 – 5 April 1940
5 April 1940 – 12 November 1941
12 November 1941 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of the Interior Faik Öztrak
Ahmet Fikri Tüzer
3 April 1939 – 6 May 1942
6 May 1942 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Şükrü Saracoğlu
Ministry of Finance Fuat Ağralı
Ministry of National Education Hasan Ali Yücel
Ministry of Public Works Ali Fuat Cebesoy
Ministry of Health Hulusi Alataş
Ministry of Customs and Monopolies Ali Rana Tarhan
Raif Karadeniz
3 April 1939 – 26 May 1939
26 May 1939 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of Transport Ali Çetinkaya
Cevat Kerim İncedayı
Fahri Engin
3 April 1939 – 20 November 1940
20 November 1940 – 12 November 1941
12 November 1941 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of Economy Hüsnü Çakır
Sırrı Day
3 April 1939 – 31 July 1941
31 July 1941 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of Commerce Cezmi Erçin
Nazmi Topçuoğlu
Mümtaz Ökmen
3 April 1939 – 1 November 1939
1 November 1939 – 26 November 1940
26 November 1940 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of Agriculture Muhlis Erkmen

Aftermath

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Refik Saydam died on 7 July 1942. He is the only prime minister in the history of Turkey who has died while serving as the prime minister. Ahmet Fikri Tüzer served as the acting prime minister for two days, and another cabinet was formed by Şükrü Saracoğlu on 9 July.

References

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Preceded by 12th Government of Turkey
3 April 1939 – 9 July 1942
Succeeded by