What the papers say

A “SLANGING match” between parliamentary Speaker Teberrüken Uluçay and his deputy, Zorlu Töre, was the topic of Hüseyin Ekmekçi’s column on Haber Kıbrıs on Wednesday.

Referring to claims made by Mr Uluçay that Mr Töre was “overworking” his driver by making him do up to “20 hours a day”, Mr Ekmekçi said this was “not [something] that can be ‘chewed and swallowed’”.

“[Mr Töre] is claiming overtime and there are fuel costs for this, plus he is requesting an extra driver. Why?” he wrote.

“He does not miss a wedding or funeral and makes lots of home visits. He takes part in party meetings, from Dipkarpaz to Yeşilırmak. Mr Töre is this kind of man. However, just seven months ago he was doing all of this with his own car. Now he has status. He has public resources at his disposal. And, as if this ‘splurge’ wasn’t enough, he wants an extra driver out of public funds. Long live the TRNC, so that it can provide full comfort for Mr Töre.”

Mr Ekmekçi went on: “So from whom is he requesting the ‘overtime and extra driver’? From the parliamentary Speaker.

“Mr Uluçay does not use a driver, does not request overtime for his driver, he uses his own car to drive from Mağusa to Lefkoşa, uses his own car to go to weddings and funerals and — hold tight — Mr Töre’s monthly fuel cost is about 4,000TL, while the parliamentary Speaker’s expenses for the last two months are just 190TL.

“You are not mistaken, just 190TL . . . the parliamentary Speaker . . . we can look at this picture and laugh. Mr Uluçay has become an observer to the expenses of his deputy . . . The driver is exhausted, there is not enough money for fuel but the Speaker is complaining publicly about his deputy.”

The writer said Mr Töre was “squandering” money in the face of the current crisis, but saved his conclusions for Mr Uluçay.

“My words are not for Mr Töre, who sees these as his right and wants more; my words are for Mr Uluçay: Why are you complaining to us? Should we lie in front of his car at the first opportunity, at a funeral, wedding or village visit? Should we put a chain across the road? Why don’t you do the necessary? Lie in front of the car and don’t let him leave the Parliament building, if you are thinking to ‘embarrass him so he gives up’.

“I just laugh. Do what is necessary of your role. Do not involve the public in your slanging match any longer.”