Sıtkı Yırcalı

Following his graduation Yırcalı worked as a lawyer in his hometown.^[1][2] He joined the DP in 1946 and became its head in Balıkesir.^[1] He was elected to the Parliament in 1950 and served there for three terms.^[3] In the cabinets led by Prime Minister Adnan Menderes Yırcalı held the following ministerial posts: minister of customs and monopolies (1951–1952), minister of industry (1952–1954; 1958), minister of economy and commerce (1954–1955) and minister of press and tourism (1957–1958).^[2] He resigned from office while serving as minister of economy and commerce in 1955.^[4] His tenure as minister of industry ended in 1958 when he resigned from the post.^[5]

Yırcalı, Fatin Rüştü Zorlu and Hasan Polatkan were investigated by a Parliamentary commission in January 1956 due to the allegations of their involvelment in importing East German trucks and tires of no value and a general neglect of their duty.^[6]

From 1957 to 1960 Yırcalı was among the DP members who opposed the hegemony of the founders of the party, including Adnan Menderes.^[7] The group included 150 DP members and headed by him.^[8]

Yırcalı was arrested after the military coup ending the rule of DP on 27 May 1960 and jailed in Yassıada for a while.^[3] He was not charged with a crime possibly due to his overt criticisms over the policies of the DP.^[9] He continued to work as a lawyer and was elected, as a senator for the AP in 1975.^[3]

Yırcalı was married and had a son and a daughter.^[3] His younger brother, Sırrı, was also a lawyer and a politician from the DP who was a member of the Parliament between 1954 and 1960.^[2]

Sıtkı Yırcalı died in Ankara on 29 September 1988 and was buried in Cebeci cemetery.^[3]