TCC Press Review 24 Nov 2020

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Act Two for the government

A new process to form a government has begun. The Republican Turkish Party’s (CTP) General Secretary Erdoğan Sorakin: “It seems unlikely that we will be able to form a long-term government under the current conditions.” The National Unity Party (UBP) acting leader Ersan Saner: “What the country needs is a government of action. We will not run away from early elections.” The People’s Party (HP) General Secretary Jale Refik Rogers: “Developments show us that we will have an election government.” The Rebirth Party (YDP) General Secretary Bertan Zaroğlu: “We need to set up a technocrat government. We could hold early elections in May.” The Democratic Party (DP) General Secretary Afet Özcafer: “The public is waiting for a government to be formed as soon as possible.” The Social Democratic Party’s (TDP) General Secretary Halil Hızal: “We need to set up a government of action.”

Kıbrıs

The goal is to establish an early election government

The CTP party assembly authorised the party leader Erhürman. He will start his meetings with the political parties from today (Tuesday) onwards. Erhürman said his first appointment was with UBP, which has the highest number of MPs in the parliament. Erhürman also noted that no matter which parties form the coalition, it will have to be an early election government. “We do not have any prejudices or red lines, but we will table some principles during our meetings,” Erhürman said.

Havadis

Elections in June

The CTP leader Tufan Erhürman, after being handed the mandate to form a government by the president, was also authorized by the party assembly with a unanimous vote to carry out coalition talks. Following a nearly three hour-long party assembly meeting, Erhürman said he will be meeting with UBP today (Tuesday) in line with established political practices since it has the highest number of MPs in the parliament. He also noted that he will meet with two other political parties on Tuesday. Erhürman noted that he will complete the first round of talks, which will be based on principles by Wednesday.

  • Lute will arrive on the island by the end of the month – (Jane Holl) Lute has rolled up her sleeves to prepare for the five-party conference. She will arrive on the island on November 30 and will meet the leaders separately on December 1.
  • Protests stopped by the police – A woman, who organised the protests against the Greek Cypriot administration’s coronavirus measures was arrested. The protests which were organised in Limassol over the weekend were stopped by the police. 

Diyalog

Damage is extensive

Tourism investors who have already been affected negatively by the coronavirus pandemic draw attention to the problems caused by the political crisis. They call for the creation of a government of stability. The investors say that the crisis of governance needs to be solved immediately and planning is required for next year.

  • First meeting with UBP – Erhürman authorised by CTP Party Assembly to form an early election government.

Avrupa

Looting continues

Following the unmerited awarding of a plot of public land worth £10m on the İskele (Trikomo) coastline to a private company, there are reports that a new plot of land is up for grabs in Kyrenia. Will the 20 dunams (dönüm) of state land worth £3.5m located between the Girne American University (GAÜ) and Mr Pound (flagship store) be given to a ‘privileged’ individual secretly? The issue is before the Council of Ministers…

  • Two cases of coronavirus in the north, 234 in the south. A new record in Turkey with 6,713 cases.

Main News

UN special envoy to meet with leaders next week

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

The UN Secretary-General’s special envoy Jane Holl Lute is expected to arrive on the island on November 30, the dailies report on Tuesday.

According to information obtained by Turkish Cypriot news agency, TAK, Lute will hold separate meetings with the two leaders.

She is expected to meet with the Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar on December 1 followed by a meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades the next day on December 2.

It is also reported that Lute has already launched her efforts to create the conditions to prepare for the five-plus-UN meeting on the Cyprus problem.

Lute, according to TAK, is expected to depart from the island on December 2.


Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) crossing exempt from new Covid rules

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security

OVERVIEW

The Higher Committee of Infectious Diseases on Monday announced that it was exempting the Greek Cypriots using the Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) crossing from the new rule requiring those wishing to cross over to the north to present a negative PCR test done within 24 hours.

In this regard, the Greek Cypriot residents of Pyrgos, who use the crossing point daily will as previously only be required to present a negative PCR test obtained within the last 72 hours whereas health workers, ambulance drivers and patient(s) being transferred by ambulance will not be required to present a negative PCR test.

The decision to exempt the Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) crossing point from the new Covid-19 rules came following serious protests from the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) authorities.

Greek Cypriot media reported that the new Covid-19 rules implemented in the northern part were raised with the UN on Monday, arguing that the new measure made it practically impossible to cross over to the north as it was not possible to obtain a PCR so quickly.

The latest changes were made after eight Greek Cypriots infected with the virus were detected in Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso.)

The latest decision will be valid from midnight on Monday.


Erhürman given green light to launch coalition talks

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Governance & Power Sharing

OVERVIEW

The Republican Turkish Party’s (CTP) assembly on Monday night gave its leader Tufan Erhürman the go-ahead to launch coalition talks with the other five parties in the Turkish Cypriot parliament.

Erhürman’s first visit will be to the National Unity Party (UBP) on Tuesday.

Two other meetings are scheduled for Tuesday and three for Wednesday but it was not announced in which order the visits will take place.

The CTP leader, speaking to reporters after Monday’s party assembly meeting, said that he had no red lines or prejudices as he set out to hold talks with the other party leaders.

Erhürman said he planned to conclude the first round of meetings by Wednesday. 

He pointed out, however, that he will be sitting at the table with several principles and was not planning to negotiate or carry out any bargaining on the cabinet ministries during the first round of meetings.

Erhürman added that the new government to be set up will most likely be an early election government, arguing that a by-election to elect a seat vacated in parliament following UBP MP Ersin Tatar’s election as president would be pointless. 

“We will need to hold a by-election within six months of forming the new government. The best course of action would be to hold elections after June rather than holding the by-elections in the first place,” he said.

Erhürman argued that a by-election would be unfair on the government which will have to deal with the harsh economic conditions in the country caused by the pandemic.


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