Coalition slammed for not mentioning ‘Cyprus problem’
OPPOSITION MPs slammed the four-party coalition on Monday for failing to make any mention of the “Cyprus problem” in its programme for government.
The leaders of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), People’s Party (HP), Democrat Party (DP) and Social Democratic Party (TDP), which combined have a majority of two in the 50-seat Parliament, had agreed as part of their coalition deal not to have a government position on the Cyprus problem to avoid splits.
National Unity Party (UBP) and Rebirth Party (YDP) deputies, however, lined up to lay into the government during a parliamentary debate on the 47-page document.
UBP leader and former Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün claimed it was the “first time in the TRNC’s history” that a government programme had “absolutely no reference to the Cyprus issue”.
“Following the recent developments, following the Greek Cypriot [presidential] election, the government has failed to make any statement,” he said.
“There is no rooted reform in this 47-page government programme, everything said at public meetings during the election period has been left there.
“There is no reference . . . concerning relations with the Republic of Turkey, the Cyprus issue, and the [proposed] electricity cable from Turkey. Without Turkey, it is impossible for us to continue our existence on this island.”
Vowing to “increase the dosage of criticism over time”, Mr Özgürgün accused the government of colluding with President Mustafa Akıncı.
“The President, who saw us [UBP] as a competitor, has also become a side to this coalition,” he said.
“Although I wish the government success, you do not represent the will of the people. I was going to say that the government has four horses, but in fact it has five . . . The president is also in this coalition.”
Mr Özgürgün said he had seen governments “formed on the basis of revenge before” but that “nothing written into their programme comes to life”.
In response to the criticism, Prime Minister and CTP leader Tufan Erhürman said: “It is correct that we have not put the Cyprus problem in the government programme . . . but we will do everything [we can] to reach a compromise on this, if the need arises, and make a joint statement . . .
“But if we cannot make such a statement, we [the four political parties] will all put forward our own positions separately.”
Dr Erhürman hit back at the previous administration, saying: “What your foreign minister did is well known. Those who would ‘smash mountains’ for the TRNC’s recognition did not lay a [single] brick for the recognition of this country’s culture, art and sport.
“You are not the ones to determine the lifespan of this government, it is us! We will do everything possible to extend the life [of the government] to five years . . . We will not succumb to provocation.”