12th government of Turkey


The 12th government of Turkey governed Turkey during the early years of the Second World War. It is also known as the second Saydam government.

Background

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

In the list below, the cabinet members who served only a part of the cabinet's lifespan are shown in the column "Notes".
TitleNameNotes
Prime MinisterRefik Saydam
Ministry of JusticeFikret Sılay
Fethi Okyar
Sayfettin Menemencioğlu
3 April 193926 May 1939
26 May 1939 – 12 March 1941
12 March 1941 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of National DefenseNaci 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 InteriorFaik Öztrak
Ahmet Fikri Tüzer
3 April 1939 – 6 May 1942
6 May 1942 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of Foreign AffairsŞükrü Saracoğlu
Ministry of FinanceFuat Ağralı
Ministry of National EducationHasan Ali Yücel
Ministry of Public WorksAli Fuat Cebesoy
Ministry of HealthHulusi Alataş
Ministry of Customs and MonopoliesAli Rana Tarhan
Raif Karadeniz
3 April 1939 – 26 May 1939
26 May 1939 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of TransportAli 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 EconomyHüsnü Çakır
Sırrı Day
3 April 1939 – 31 July 1941
31 July 1941 – 9 July 1942
Ministry of CommerceCezmi 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 AgricultureMuhlis Erkmen

Aftermath

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.