Ministry of the Interior (Turkey)

The Ministry of the Interior (Turkish: İçişleri Bakanlığı) is a government ministry of the Republic of Turkey, responsible for internal security, civil administration, and maintaining order within the country. It is responsible for a wide range of functions including law enforcement, emergency services, local government administration, population registration, and disaster management.

The Minister of the Interior is a member of the Cabinet of Turkey and is appointed by the President. The Ministry oversees various agencies and directorates including the General Directorate of Security (Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü), which is the national police force; the Gendarmerie General Command (Jandarma Genel Komutanlığı), responsible for security in rural areas; the Coast Guard Command (Sahil Güvenlik Komutanlığı); the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü); and the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı - AFAD).

The Ministry plays a crucial role in implementing government policies related to internal affairs, managing migration, combating terrorism and organized crime, and ensuring the smooth functioning of local administrations. Its responsibilities extend to overseeing elections and referendums to guarantee their fairness and integrity. Historically, the Ministry has been a powerful institution in Turkish politics, often at the forefront of critical junctures in the country's development.