Former finance minister Simsek promoted in new Turkish cabinet

The latest on the Russian warplane shot down by Turkey on Tuesday (All times local): 6:10 p.m. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has convened a security meeting following Turkey’s downing of a Russian plane.

A senior official told Reuters Simsek would take over management of the economy, a post held in the past by AKP stalwart Ali Babacan.

Former finance ministry undersecretary Naci Agbal and economist Mustafa Elitas, both seen as close to Erdogan, were named as finance and economy ministers respectively.

The election of the new speaker is a crucial step in Turkish politics after the snap polls where the AKP stunningly regained the overall majority it had unexpectedly lost in June 7 legislative elections.

Davutoglu won approval for his cabinet at a meeting with Erdogan and the Turkish strongman is expected to keep tight control over the government.

Davutoglu was heading an interim government that was appointed to take Turkey to November vote.

Turkish media reports had also suggested a growing rift between Erdogan and Prime Minister Davutoglu, focusing in particular on the economy.

Davutoglu said Turkey had exercised its “international right and national duty” by downing the plane, which Turkish authorities say was flying over the country’s southern Hatay province.

Davutoglu reminded that Turkey has repeatedly said that no country is entitled to violate the airspace of the country.