Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Mehmet Özhaseki, has resigned.

The Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Mehmet Özhaseki, announced his resignation from his position due to health problems.

ÖZHASEKİ RESIGNED

The first resignation, which has been discussed for days in the Presidential Cabinet, has arrived. The Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Mehmet Özhaseki, resigned due to health problems.

In his statement on social media, Özhaseki stated the following: "Dear people, a long time ago; in 1994, upon the intense demand of our fellow citizens from Kayseri, I joined the service caravan as the mayor. Those were difficult years for Turkey. I felt a deep spiritual pleasure in serving my hometown, contributing to every corner and leaving a mark during this journey as the Mayor of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality.

"WALKING WITH OUR PRESIDENT HAS BEEN AN HONOR FOR US"

In the following years, it became our destiny to serve in different fields of public service. First as a Member of Parliament from Kayseri, then as the Deputy Chairman of the AK Party, and finally as the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, I served our beautiful Turkey. Walking with our President has always been an honor for us.

"I ASSUMED A HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY"

I assumed a historical responsibility to heal the wounds caused by the biggest natural disaster that our country has faced and to rebuild our destroyed cities. Fortunately, significant progress has been made in solving the problems we faced. The path has become clear, and the construction and reconstruction activities to be carried out have been determined step by step.

"I AM LEAVING MY POSITION VOLUNTARILY DUE TO HEALTH PROBLEMS"

Today, I informed President Erdogan that I want to leave this sacred duty I undertook voluntarily due to my health problems. Throughout my duties, I worked day and night, aiming to secure the approval of Allah without being involved in any worldly calculations. I made sure not to engage in any behavior that would not be in line with the conscience scale. I always maintained my sensitivity towards not allowing any forbidden morsel to pass through my throat or the throats of my children.

"I WILL SERVE IN THE FAMILY FOUNDATION WE WILL ESTABLISH"

In the future, I will continue to serve as much as my health allows in the family foundation we will establish. My support for any endeavor that is beneficial for our country will certainly continue. I especially ask our people to forgive any rights they may have against me. I express my gratitude to President Erdogan for the trust and confidence he has shown."

WHO IS MEHMET ÖZHASEKİ?

Mehmet Özhaseki was born in Kayseri in 1957. He completed his primary and secondary education in Kayseri and then entered the Faculty of Engineering at Hacettepe University, majoring in Electronics Engineering. He left his education unfinished and then enrolled in the Faculty of Law at Istanbul University. After graduation, Özhaseki took part in the establishment of foundations and associations aiming to serve disadvantaged groups.

Özhaseki, who became the Mayor of Melikgazi in the Local Government Elections on March 27, 1994, was elected as the Mayor of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality through a vote held in the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality Council on June 23, 1998, and he continued this duty in the local elections in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014.

Özhaseki, who served as the president of the Union of Historical Towns (TKB) between 2004 and 2011, resigned from the position of Mayor of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality on February 10, 2015, and became a candidate for parliament from the AK Party.

Özhaseki, who served as a member of parliament from Kayseri in the 25th, 26th, and 27th terms and as the Minister of Environment and Urbanization in the 65th term of the Republic of Turkey Government, has been serving as the Deputy Chairman of the AK Party and the President of Local Administrations since 2015. Özhaseki is married and has 4 children. He speaks English and Arabic.