What the papers say
TROUBLES ahead for the TRNC’s new four-party government were the focus for Havadis editor Başaran Düzgün.
Outlining in a column the “hard task” facing the coalition, he told how the Price Stabilisation Fund had been exhausted and the dollar was “unstoppable”, so the price of fuel could no longer be subsidised and would rise.
“When the price of fuel is hiked no-one will be able to contain the people . . . [and] we will hear, ‘They’re all the same’ over and over again . . .
“The price of alcohol and tobacco, the two mainstays of the Price Stability Fund, will also be increased.
“A hike in the price of tobacco can be forgiven. Maybe. But people will hit the roof when the price of alcohol goes up . . . Ministers’ names will be bandied around constantly over tavern tables.”
Mr Düzgün also predicted producers would be “queuing up at the door” with demands for “millions and millions of TL”, while the economic protocol with Turkey would be brought up immediately “because UBP signed it . . . but did not implement much of [it]”.
“They even demurred over the [supply of Turkish] water, but noone said a word. Now the distribution of water will be given to a Turkish company. Bringing electricity from Turkey will be brought up. Privatisation of harbours. The immediate sale of telecommunications. And more and more.
“The nerves of the left-wing parties will be strained. Internal party squabbles will start.
“Naturally the flow of money will stop. And when the flow of money dries up, the ‘let us be selfsufficient’ model will come into play.
“The people will be screaming at the top of their voices, because under the ‘self-sufficiency’ model, they know from experience the first place the hand will reach will be into people’s pockets.”
Meanwhile, said the writer, with salaries at “poverty level”, the Turkish lira depreciating and prices climbing, trades unions would be demanding wage rises.
“Organised reactionism is at its zenith and attacking relentlessly from all angles to change the Turkish Cypriot people’s way of life . . .
“What will the new government deal with? With those screaming for money or those who are trying to take this country away from us? The people ought to decide.”