Front Page Headlines
Pilli replaced as health minister in a cabinet reshuffle
He (Prime Minister Ersan Saner) called him the most successful health minister in the world and then dismissed him. Saner replaced Health Minister Ali Pilli with Public Works and Communication Minister Ünal Üstel. Resmiye Canaltay was appointed as Üstel’s replacement. Pilli’s removal from the post was published in the Official Gazette. President Ersin Tatar signed the decision yesterday.
- Anastasiades wants the EU at the table – Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and the head of the EU Commission Ursula Von der Leyen agreed on the need for the EU’s representation at the informal meeting on the Cyprus Issue.
- Pictures from yesterday’s protest in the south – A protest was staged at the Kolokasi Park against police violence and corruption The protestors called for peace and reunification.
Cabinet reshuffle
Prime Minister Ersan Saner decided to remove Health Minister Ali Pilli from duty and appointed Ünal Üstel in his place. Resmiye Canaltay is appointed as the new Public Works and Communication Minister. Saner who explained his reasons for the cabinet changes claimed that Pilli was exhausted.
- “The international community knows our position” – President Ersin Tatar said the entire world including the Greek Cypriot side is now debating the possibility of a two-state solution.
N/A due to lockdown
N/A due to lockdown
Main News
Saner replaces Pilli as health minister, sparking reactions
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
In an abrupt move on Saturday, Turkish Cypriot Health Minister Ali Pilli was dismissed from duty by Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner. Rumours of Saner’s plan to dismiss Pilli had emerged two weeks ago but were rejected by the Prime Minister as hearsay.
Pilli’s dismissal came following mounting pressure on the government by various sectors for easing of lockdown restrictions. It was no secret that the former health minister was at odds with other members of the cabinet over his insistence on extending the lockdown.
Representatives of various sectors, such as the casino owners, were staunch critics of Pilli’s stance. Covid-19 cases have fallen significantly since a partial lockdown was introduced a month ago. Saner appointed Public Works and Communications Minister Ünal Üstel to replace Pilli as health minister and Resmiye Canaltay to replace Üstel.
Commenting on his dismissal, Pilli expressed his disappointment stating that he only learned of Saner’s decision on TV. He also vowed to speak out against Saner’s actions. Announcing the decision during a live programme on Bayrak, Saner justified his cabinet reshuffle claiming that Pilli was exhausted after managing the crisis for the last 12 months. “I believe Pilli needs to take a well-deserved rest,” he said.
The government’s decision sparked a strong public reaction, particularly on social media as many believed that despite his shortcomings, Pilli had managed the pandemic crisis well.
Many believe that Pilli was honest and well-intended in his decisions, unlike his replacement who was involved last year in what became known as the “Private Jet” scandal when a group of businessmen and their mistresses arrived in the north via private jet and were allowed to enter through a back door, bypassing the quarantine requirement.
There is a common belief that Üstel, who has close ties with various business groups, will put the economy before the public’s health. In a matter of hours, over 7,000 people joined a Facebook page opened in support of Pilli.
The opposition parties also expressed their disappointment over the decision. The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman harshly criticized Saner for his decision, pointing out that it was wrong for the government to declare Pilli as a scapegoat for the government’s poor management of the pandemic.
The leader of the People’s Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay also slammed Saner, accusing him of removing the only minister in the cabinet who had the public’s confidence. He said the government is very good at doing things that should not be done at the time of a crisis.
Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit called on Saner to admit the real reasons behind the decision and for the coalition government to resign. Özyiğit reminded that Ünal Üstel was still one of the leading names in an ongoing investigation into the jet scandal.
Regarding Canaltay, the TDP leader said Saner had only appointed her as minister as a favour to Derviş Eroğlu after his daughter had embarrassingly failed to win an election to become the next speaker of the Turkish Cypriot parliament.
Tatar: “The world acknowledges the TRNC as a sovereign state”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said on Saturday that the Turkish Cypriot side’s position in favour of a two-state solution received more support than given credit, arguing that the international community, including the Greek Cypriot side, are now talking about it since his election to office.
Tatar claimed the international community acknowledged the north as a separate sovereign state and respected the Turkish Cypriots as separate people.
Speaking during a videoconference with representatives of Turkish Cypriot civil society organisations known for their nationalist stance on the Cyprus problem, Tatar said that a two-state model was the only realistic option that could be discussed at the negotiating table.
The Turkish Cypriot leader argued that the two sides in Cyprus had very different understandings of what a federal settlement entailed. He repeated his view that Greek Cypriots have no intention of sharing the island’s natural resources or political power with their Turkish Cypriot counterparts
Tatar also said that it was out of the question for Turkish Cypriots to agree to any formula that would essentially downgrade their status to a minority within a state dominated by Greek Cypriots or force them to make concessions on Turkey’s guarantees.
He argued that Ankara was fully onboard with the Turkish Cypriot side’s position in favour of a two-state solution and that recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean have boosted the north’s position in the region.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> International community acknowledges the north as a sovereign state & respects TCs as a separate people.
>> Two-state model only realistic option at negotiating table.
>> Two sides have a very different understanding of a federal settlement.
>> Out of question for TCs to agree to formula that will their downgrade status to a minority.
>> Ankara on the same page with TC side on a two-state solution.