Hasan Saka was one of the early statesmen of the Republic of Türkiye, an economist, diplomat, and politician. He held positions in finance and economics during both the late Ottoman period and the early years of the Republic; he served as foreign minister and prime minister. He was one of the pioneers of democratic reforms during the transition to a multi-party system.

Early Life and Education

Hasan Saka was born in Trabzon in 1885, as the son of Hafız Yunus Efendi of Trabzon from the Saka Oğulları family. After completing his primary and secondary education in Trabzon, he graduated from Istanbul Mercan High School. In 1908, he graduated first in his class from the School of Civil Administration, and in the same year, he was sent to the Diplomacy Branch of the Paris School of Political Science (École Libre des Sciences Politiques). Here, he received education in economics and finance, graduating in 1912. Upon his return to the country, he began teaching economics and finance at the School of Civil Administration.

Late Ottoman Period and Early Professional Life

Hasan Saka began his civil service career in the late years of the Ottoman Empire at the Court of Accounts, and in 1915, he served at the General Directorate of Revenues of the Ministry of Finance and the Income Tax Appeals Commission. During the same period, he continued his duty as an economics teacher at the School of Law. In 1916, he was appointed as the Eskişehir Regional Director of Economy, and from 1918 onwards, he continued teaching economics at the School of Civil Administration.

Entry into Political Life and the Grand National Assembly Period

Saka, who entered politics as a Trabzon deputy in the last Ottoman Parliament of Deputies, became the Director of the Inspection Board of the General Directorate of Provisions for a short time after the occupation forces closed the parliament. In 1921, he was elected as a Trabzon deputy in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and was appointed as the Minister of Finance in the same year. He made great efforts to finance the army under the difficult conditions of the War of Independence but resigned from the Ministry of Finance in 1922 due to heavy criticism. Within the same year, he was appointed as the Minister of Economy and took part in the economic restructuring of the country.

Lausanne Peace Conference and the Early Years of the Republic

Hasan Saka served as a member of the Turkish delegation at the Lausanne Peace Conference in 1922, providing support to chief delegate İsmet İnönü on economic and financial matters. He was one of the members of the delegation that signed the Treaty of Lausanne. In the early periods of the Republic, he served as the Minister of Economy in the first government formed in 1923, and later as the Minister of Commerce and the Minister of Finance.

Grand National Assembly Deputy Speakership and Academic Duties

Hasan Saka, who left his position as Minister of Finance in 1926 and was elected Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, continued this duty until 1935. Between 1936 and 1941, he served as a professor of general economics at the School of Political Science, also contributing to the field of education for the establishment of modern financial principles in Türkiye. He resigned from this position due to the decision that professorship and parliamentary duties could not be carried out simultaneously.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Representation

In 1944, he was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position he held until 1947. In 1945, he represented Türkiye as the head of the Turkish delegation at the San Francisco Conference, which laid the groundwork for the establishment of the United Nations.

Prime Minister Period (1947–1949)

Hasan Saka, who began his term as Prime Minister on September 13, 1947, strove to improve inter-party relations and ensure democratization during Türkiye's transition to a multi-party system. During this period, liberal economic policies were adopted, but the political environment became increasingly difficult due to the inability to solve economic problems and the growing pressure from the opposition. He resigned for the first time on June 9, 1948, but the task of forming a new government was given back to him. He formed his second cabinet and served in 1948-1949, during which steps such as the adoption of the "secret ballot, open counting" principle were taken. However, due to ongoing economic and political problems, he resigned from the premiership on January 9, 1949.

Final Years of Political Career and Death

After leaving the premiership, Hasan Saka was elected Deputy Chairman of the Republican People's Party Parliamentary Group and retired from active politics in 1954. He passed away in Istanbul on July 29, 1960.