YDP pledges ‘conditional support’
THE Rebirth Party ( YDP) pledged “conditional” support this week for Prime Minister and National Unity Party (UBP) leader Ersin Tatar as he bids to oust Mustafa Akıncı as president in tomorrow’s run-off.
The party, whose leader and own candidate Erhan Arıklı was eliminated from the race last Sunday after coming fifth with 5.41 per cent of the votes cast, gave its unanimous backing to Mr Tatar following a meeting of the YDP board.
In a statement to broadcaster BRTK, Dr Arıklı said: “There are two different mentalities competing for the election. The federation supporters are on the one side and the TRNC supporters are on the other side . . . Despite all the discussions that some of our members wanted the party base to be allowed to vote for whoever they
want, we unanimously decided to support Mr Tatar.”
Dr Arıklı said the YDP’s support for Mr Tatar was conditional on two things: “We demand that he does not continue negations for a federation [in Cyprus], and that he actively works to ensure that the TRNC is recognised, with the contribution of YDP representatives.”
The YDP leader stressed that “we are not supporting the UBP, but we are supporting our national cause”.
Dr Arıklı also slammed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his statements last month when he said that negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem will continue after the North Cyprus elections.
Speaking following his meeting with Dr Arıklı, Mr Tatar said: “I will have good relations with Turkey, I will work for a solution based on equality, prosperity and trust.
“It is not right that our people have become polarised. The president should embrace everybody.
“The victimisation policy is not appropriate for a president, by constantly standing against Turkey and saying that he has been threatened.”