Front Page Headlines
Wind of lies
Cracks formed in the National Unity Party (UBP) and Peoples’ Party (HP) coalition government following the scandal. Crisis followed crisis. Tourism Minister Ünal Üstel was replaced by Kutlu Evren. A cabinet reshuffle was experienced following Yenidüzen’s reporting on the ‘private jet scandal’. Even the cabinet reshuffle by the Prime Minister caused a separate scandal. Prime Minister Ersin Tatar proposed two changes in his cabinet, presenting President Mustafa Akıncı with his lift. The President vetoed Tatar’s proposal to appoint Aytaç Çaluda who currently being investigated on numerous charges as Labour and Social Security Minister. Current Labour Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu was first removed from office in the morning only be reinstated later in the day.
- Ambassador at Prime Minister’s office – Before the presentation of the new cabinet to President Akıncı, the Turkish Ambassador Ali Murat Başceri visited the Prime Minister. A statement issued later said the two had discussed the economic package.
- Özersay: “I was only informed of one change in the cabinet”/ Tatar: “I had informed Özersay that I wanted to change two ministers”
- Erhürman: “This is not only about one minister. It is about the government as a whole”
- Çaluda who was vetoed: “I will not support Tatar if the government continues”
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Çaluda vetoed; Evren replaces Üstel
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar decided to change his cabinet following the ‘special permission’ scandal, which led to a government crisis. Tourism Minister Ünal Üstel, who was held responsible for the incident, was replaced by Kutlu Evren. In a surprising decision, Tatar also proposed Aytaç Çaluda, whose political immunity was lifted, as the Labour Minister to replace Faiz Sucuoğlu. President Mustafa Akıncı in view of recommendations from the Attorney General’s office did not approve Çaluda’s appointment.
- The general conviction is not to change the election date – President Mustafa Akıncı discussed with the political parties with seats in parliament the possibility to bring forward the date of the presidential elections. Akıncı said holding an election in August would be less risky compared to elections later in October given the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus based on predictions made by the World Health Organisation (WHO). He urged the political parties to evaluate the issue their respective authorised bodies. “The election date was initially changed by the parliament and it can be done so by a decision taken by parliament,” Akıncı said.
- The Greek Cypriot administration is opening all the crossings except for Lokmacı (Ledra Street) – The government deputy spokesman Panayiotis Sendonas said: “All citizens of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) and those residing in the RoC legally can cross from any crossing point other than Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing provided that they provide the authorities with a negative test result obtained within the last 72 hours of the crossing.”
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Fire burning within the UBP
Prime Minister Tatar who removed Tourism Minister (Ünal) Üstel from duty wanted to replace (Faiz) Sucuoğlu with Çaluda as Labour Minister but was vetoed by the President. Üstel was replaced by Kutlu Evren. Tatar had presented the president with two lists yesterday (Friday) The first list proposed Üstel to be replaced by Evren while the second list proposed appointing Aytaş Çaluda as the new Labour and Social Security Minister replacing Faiz Sucuoğlu. Akıncı vetoed Çaluda after seeking the advice of Attorney General Sarpar Altıncık. Prime Minister Tatar’s method stirred strong reactions and debate within his party’s ranks. Speaking on Diyalog TV Çaluda said, “This insult has seriously wounded me. My pride is hurt.”
The Ambassador approved it first
Turkish Ambassador Ali Murat Başçeri held a meeting with Ersin Tatar at the prime ministry yesterday (Friday). Even though it was announced the meeting was about the economic protocol agreement, rumours are going around that the meeting was actually about the cabinet reshuffle and that the list was put to Başçeri’s approval first. Mustafa Akıncı did not approve the appointment of Aytaç Çaluda leaving Ünal Üstel to bearing the brunt of accusatiıns. Kutlu Evren was appointed as the new Tourism and Environment Minister. Tatar first proposed two names to Akıncı. Tatar wanted to appoint Kutlu Evren to tourism ministry and Çaluda to replace Faiz Sucuoğlu as the labour minister. Akıncı, in view of recommendations from the Attorney General’s office, vetoed the appointment of Çaluda.
- Akıncı’s proposal to hold elections on August 16 rejected – Akıncı said holding an election in August will be less risky than to hold elections in October.
- The government in the south is opening all the crossing points other than Lokmacı (Ledra Street).
Main News
Political parties with a majority in parliament insist on October elections
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis,Diyalog
Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
A proposal put forward by President Mustafa Akıncı on Wednesday to bring forward the date of the elections in the north to August instead of October as currently scheduled was rejected on Friday by political parties which have majority representation in the Turkish Cypriot parliament.
Akıncı told reporters after a meeting held on Friday with the parties that his proposal had not been welcomed by the parties which have the largest number of seats.
He recalled that the initial decision to postpone the elections to October 11 was aimed at preventing potential risks posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
“However, the legal experts at the time had also advised the elections should be held at the shortest period as soon as the conditions permitted.
This is a recommendation from legal experts and I agree with them,”
Akıncı also said that it had been 61 days without any new coronavirus cases in the north since 17 April.
“Nonetheless, given the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) warning on the possible second wave of the pandemic in Autumn, I strongly believe the elections should be held before October,” Akıncı said.
He argued that the upcoming elections continue to remain as a point of friction among the candidates, causing difficulties in economic and health planning.
“In light of the community’s health and the economic future, the ‘election’ hurdle must be removed from public’s agenda by holding the elections as soon as possible,” Akıncı said.
He added that although some of the parties supported his proposal the parties with a majority in parliament did not.
“I strongly recommend the political parties reassess my proposal within their authorised bodies because there will a new opening from July 1 onwards. It should have been a controlled and gradual opening. When comparing the months of July and August to September and October, holding elections in August would be less risky,” Akıncı concluded.
Asked about the possibility of his resignation, Akıncı said he is not considering resigning from his post as this would force an election to be held within the coming 45 days as commanded by the constitution.
“We are currently going through a pandemic and we are talking about an election postponed for health reasons. There was a consensus to postpone the elections and there needs to be a consensus once again to bring it forward. I do not intend to pull a fait accompli for the elections,” Akıncı said.
Week-long crisis ends with a change in the cabinet
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis,Diyalog
Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The week-long coalition crisis, which was caused by the arrival of a group of ‘investors’ to the north from Turkey via a private jet a week ago without complying with quarantine rules, ended with a cabinet reshuffle.
National Unity Party (UBP) leader and Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar replaced his Tourism Minister Ünal Üstel with UBP’ Kyrenia MP Kutlu Evren.
The cabinet change was reported as the top story on all dailies on Saturday
The junior coalition partners, the People’s Party (HP) had held Tourism Minister Ünal Üstel responsible for the scandal and had threatened to walk out of the coalition unless he was replaced.
Giving in to the HP’s demand, Tatar on Friday presented his new cabinet to Mustafa Akıncı for approval. Along with Üstel’s replacement, Tatar in an unexpected move also proposed appointing UBP Güzelyurt (Morphou) MP Aytaç Çaluda, as his new Labour and Social Security Minister, replacing Faiz Sucuoğlu.
Akıncı how however rejected Çaluda’s appointment following legal advice from the Attorney General’s office.
Çaluda’s political immunity was lifted as a result of a parliamentary inquiry, as there are 37 charges filed against him.
A court hearing has been scheduled for September 15.
Outraged by the decision, Çaluda on Friday, claimed on Diyalog TV, that the developments were part of a conspiracy orchestrated against him by the of HP.
“After this point, I am not going to be an accomplice to the mistakes made by Tatar even if the government continues,” Çaluda stressed.
He urged the UBP to withdraw from the coalition without any delay.
In the meantime, the opposition parties were not satisfied with Tatar’s decision to punish only a single minister for the scandal which rocked the country over the past week.
Speaking to reporters after Friday’s meeting with Akıncı, the leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Tufan Erhürman argued the entire cabinet was responsible or involved in the scandal and that it was not enough to punish one minister for the wrongdoings of the entire government.
“The government needs to answer for every wrong it has done so far,” Erhürman stressed, adding that the CTP will continue to work to bring out the truth to the public’s fore.
“A group of people entered the north without the cabinet’s approval, without being subjected to any customs inspections or complying with quarantine rules. These are issues that concern the entire government and not only one minister. We demand explanations one by one on all counts,” Erhürman concluded.
Social Democratic leader Cemal Özyiğit also blasted the government on the issue.
“I am speaking on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot community. This entire government is guilty and they must go as soon as possible,” he said.
Özyiğit argued that the Turkish Cypriot tourism minister has been made a scapegoat.
He pointed out that the government had violated its own rules and regulations losing the public’s trust and confidence in the process.
The leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) Erhan Arıklı argued it is not possible to cover up the crime committed by simply removing one person from duty.
“The UBP harmed its reputation, its vision and mission by removing Üstel from duty. But it is not enough to cover up the mess by removing him. The group entered the north without being subjected to any inspections making the interior, finance and health ministries equally guilty and accountable,” Arıklı concluded.
On the other hand, the details of the police investigation on the group of investors had started to emerge on Friday.
Akıncı, speaking after he met with the political party representatives on Friday, said he had been given a copy of the report containing the initial findings of the police investigation.
“The group of Turkish ‘investors’ that arrived in the north did not stay at the quarantine hotel as claimed some of them had been taken to Famagusta and brought back,” Akıncı stressed.
Yenidüzen had reported on Thursday, the group of individuals who arrived in the north from Turkey via a private jet belonging to ADA Air, stayed at the Merit Royal Hotel, which is not one of the state-contracted quarantine hotels.
It had also emerged that three members of the group visited Kyrenia while another member visited Famagusta.
Rumours also circulated on Friday about the Turkish government’s involvement in the new cabinet after photographs emerged on social media showing the north’s Turkish ambassador Ali Murat Başçeri entering the prime ministry just hours before Tatar presented his cabinet to Akıncı for approval.
Although an official statement said the two had discussed issues about the economic package, several media outlets claimed that Tatar had presented the list after receiving Başçeri’s approval and blessing.
Turkey willing to cooperate with everyone except GCs, says Çavuşoğlu
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis,Diyalog
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Friday reiterated that Ankara was willing to cooperate with everyone in the eastern Mediterranean except the Greek Cypriots.
He also called on Israel to annul its agreement with South Cyprus on the delimitation of their exclusive economic zones (EEZs), claiming that Israel had ceded some maritime areas to Cyprus.
Speaking to CNN Türk, Çavuşoğlu said that only if the Israel-Cyprus agreement is annulled could the Turkish continental shelf be merged with that of Libya.
Cyprus signed EEZ delimitation agreements with Egypt in 2003, Lebanon in 2007 and Israel in 2010. The delimitation is based on the median line method.
The Turkish minister said that Cyprus carved out its offshore blocks based on the agreement it made with Israel.
He claimed that part of Turkey’s continental shelf falls within that area.
In other words, he said, Israel, to sign an agreement with Turkey similar to the one Ankara signed with Libya, must cancel the agreement it signed with the “Greek Cypriot administration”, which is how Turkey refers to the Republic of Cyprus since it does not recognise it.
He also said that for Israeli natural gas to enter the international market, the pipeline must pass through Turkey or the Turkish continental shelf.
Çavuşoğlu added that there have been moves in the eastern Mediterranean to exclude Turkey through cooperation agreements.
“No agreement that excludes Turley is valid,” he said.