The Rejection of the List of the Ministers Council by the President: Suat Hayri Ürgüplü Cabinet Example (14 May 1972)

Upon the request of the Turkish army, in Suleyman Demirel Government‟s stead, which had resigned as a result of the “Memorandum” on 12 March 1971, a government under the premiership of Nihat Erim that consisted a group of technocrats was formed. Erim resigned for the second time on April 16, 1972, as he failed to resolve the crisis through requested reforms. Then President Sunay gave the task of forming a government, to the quota senator Suat Hayri Ürgüplü. Because Ürgüplü, as the Prime Minister of the fourth coalition government of Turkey, had been successful in leading the country until the elections of 1965 without any major problems, his assignment met with widespread support. After several meetings and wellconducted correspondence diplomacy, he persuaded all four parties that were represented at the parliament to appoint a minister for the government. However, the cabinet he offered was rejected by the President Sunay, who was acting under the influence of the army. In response, Ürgüplü resigned. His successor, Ferit Melen, rather easily managed to form a government thanks to the Ürgüplü‟s previous efforts in overcoming many difficulties on the way. This article narrates Ürgüplü‟s attempt at building a cabinet between April 29 and May 14, his communication with other actors in the system, the difficulties he faced, his diplomacy carried out through correspondence and his resignation after the rejection of the list he presented.