Turkish Women Bar Ministry Candidate

A candidate to head Turkey’s Ministry of Women and Family Affairs withdrew Friday after women’s groups protested because he has two wives.

State Minister Salim Ensarioglu was chosen this week. But women’s groups complained.

The government “is mocking women,” said Nazan Moroglu, head of the Women Jurists Association.

Ensarioglu has not tried to hide the fact that he has two wives - one married in a civil ceremony, the other in a religious ceremony that is not officially recognized.

Other lawmakers are reported to have more than one wife, which is permitted under Islamic law.