Turkey's Erdogan appoints new governors in 41 provinces: Official Gazette

Lawyers wearing face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus, as one holds a placard that reads "Don't touch the Defence!" during a protest, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, June 22, 2020. Turkish authorities have made the wearing of masks mandatory in three major cities to curb the spread of COVID-19 following an uptick in confirmed cases since the reopening of many businesses. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

ISTANBUL (Reuters) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appointed new governors in 41 provinces, a presidential ruling in the Official Gazette showed on Wednesday.

As part of the move, 23 governors were shuffled between provinces and 18 were newly appointed, the statement said. Seventeen former governors were appointed as chief civil inspectors and one was appointed as a top advisor to Erdogan. Turkey has 81 provinces.

___

Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Shri Navaratnam

Image: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a news conference following a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Turkey, June 9, 2020. (Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS)