Turkey’s Erdogan refuses minister’s resignation over pandemic response

Soylu came in for fierce criticism after a 48-hour nationwide shutdown to counter the spread of the coronavirus was announced on Friday night with just two hours’ notice, sparking panic-buying.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday refused the resignation of his interior minister over his handling of an abrupt nationwide lockdown that led to panic buying.

File photo of Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. (AFP)

Suleyman Soylu’s resignation had not been accepted, said a statement from Erdogan. “He is going to continue to carry out his functions,” he added.

Soylu came in for fierce criticism after a 48-hour nationwide shutdown to counter the spread of the coronavirus was announced on Friday night with just two hours’ notice, sparking panic-buying.