Quick Facts
Biography
Süleyman Soylu (born November 21, 1969) is a Turkish politician. He is a deputy chairman of the Justice and Development Party who currently serves as the Minister of the Interior since 31 August 2016. He previously served as the Minister of Labour and Social Security from November 2015 to August 2016. He is a former leader of the Democrat Party (DP).
Soylu was appointed as the Interior Minister after the surprise resignation of Efkan Ala, with Soylu commenting that his appointment 'came as a surprise' to him as well.
Early life and business career
Süleyman Soylu was born in Istanbul on 21 November 1969. He graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Management. He started business career in Istanbul Stock Exchange.
Political career
Democrat Party
He started politics at Democrat Party (DP) Istanbul Youth Branch in 1987. He took the positions of member of board of directorates, and chairman of the organization at youth branch of Democrat Party Istanbul.
In 1995, he was elected to the board of directorates in Gaziosmanpaşa branch, and with the congress held on 17 July 1995, he was elected as the chairman of the district at the age of 25. On 18 April 1999, he announced his candidacy for the mayor of Gaziosmanpaşa municipality which is district of Istanbul.
He became DP Istanbul Chairman on 29 April 1999 which made him the youngest chairman in the Turkey at that time. He resigned from the presidency, which lasted 3.5 years, to run for the elections to become a Member of the Parliament of Turkey in 2002. Süleyman Soylu was elected for party leadership with the 4th Extraordinary Congress of Democrat Party on 6 January 2008. After being reelected for the leadership at the 9th Statutory Congress on 15 November 2008, he led his party for 29 March 2009 local elections. On 16 May 2009, at the congress, which took place according to his will, his party leadership ended.
Afterwards, he participated in many conferences and panels upon invitations coming from various universities and civil societies all over the country.
Süleyman Soylu realized the vital importance of the change of constitution package, which was opened for referendum of 12 September 2010 for the transition and democratization of Turkey, organized a series of seminars with the title of “Democracy meetings”, and together with his friends by travelling all around Turkey, shared grounds for voting “yes”. Following these activities, he was expelled from his party.
AK Party
Soylu was invited to be an AK Party politician by Erdogan, then AK Party Chairman and Prime Minister. Soylu joined the AK Party on 5 September 2012. On 30 September 2012, with the 4th Statutory General Congress of AK Party, he was elected for the Central Board of Executives, and became Deputy Chairman responsible for R&D Department.
He served as 'Minister of Labour and Social Security' in the third Davutoğlu Cabinet (24 November 2015 – 24 May 2016) and in the Yıldırım Cabinet until 31 August 2016. Then, PM Yıldırım appointed him surprisingly Minister of the Interior after he had sacked Efkan Ala.