Front Page Headlines
The ministers change but the queues remain in place!
Despite the surge in Covid-19 cases, the lack of organisation remains in place creating conditions for the spread of the virus. The rise in the number of cases is causing crowding at PCR testing sites. However, it has been observed that there is no organisation in either the test centres or at vaccination centres. Health experts are warning that the Omicron variant could pose a serious threat and that it was necessary to step up measures.
Don’t abandon the measures as the threat is big
The surge in the coronavirus cases brought back the PCR queues. The rules on entry into the country have changed as of yesterday following the emergence of the ‘Omicron’ variant of Covid-19. The Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association (KTTB) also warned the public against the ‘Omicron’ variant.
The people are focused on the exchange rate, not the elections
While the political parties in the TRNC intensified their search for candidates for the upcoming early elections, the people are struggling following the ongoing devaluation of the Turkish Lira, just as was the case four years ago. One British Sterling pound was ₺5.24 on November 27, 2017, and it is now ₺17.01; one Euro was ₺4.63 but now ₺14.37 and one US Dollar was ₺3.95 but now ₺12.73.
Disgusting
Three men accused of raping a 16-year-old girl after taking her to three different bars and making her drink have been arrested by police. According to the claims, the three suspects first took the girl to a concert where they encouraged her to drink. At the end of the night, she was taken to the house of one of the suspects where the incident took place.
- This is a first –Yılmaz Sarmış has been sentenced to five months in prison for smuggling meat from the south.
- It provides 80 per cent protection –The Greek Cypriot health minister announced the need for booster shots.
This Cypriot donkey has again laid its eyes on the seat
The countdown for January 23, 2022, early elections is continuing. The deadline for nominating candidates is set as December 14. National Unity Party (UBP) will receive applications from candidates until December 3. The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Central Executive Board (MYK) identified the party leader’s quota for candidates and announced it will receive applications until December 4. The Peoples’ Party (HP) will accept applications until December 4 and will hold an election to identify the final list of candidates on December 11. Social Democratic Party (TDP) will nominate more women candidates than required by the law. Nearly 90 people submitted their applications to the Rebirth Party (YDP). The final list of candidates will be identified on December 12.
Main News
Sucuoğlu expresses full support for a two-state solution
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu on Monday reiterated his National Unity Party’s (UBP) full support to a two-state solution in Cyprus, backing Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar’s position. Speaking during a HaberTürk programme, Sucuoğlu reiterated that the 50 years of failed talks proved that it was not possible to reach a federal settlement in Cyprus.
“When we look back in the history of talks for a federal settlement, we see that not an inch of progress was achieved,” he argued, stressing the importance of a self-sufficient Turkish Cypriot state. “If there is going to be any negotiations within the scope of the Cyprus problem, the sides must sit at the table as two equal and equally sovereign states,” Sucuoğlu stressed.
Also arguing that the majority of the Turkish Cypriots are in favour of a two-state solution model on the island, Sucuoğlu said the polls show that 85 per cent of the Turkish Cypriots support Turkey and more than 95 per cent of the people want the continuation of the Turkish guarantees and the presence of the Turkish troops on the island.
He also claimed those who want the contrary is a small minority of people in the north. Touching on the hydrocarbons issue, Sucuoğlu noted that the Turkish Cypriot side, together with Turkey will respond in kind to any form of unilateral actions taken by the Greek Cypriot side in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“If the South were to drill, we will also do so,” Sucuoğlu said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot people fully support the “Blue Homeland” doctrine. Sucuoğlu on Maraş (Varosha), said the reopening of the fenced-off town will continue as planned in the coming period. He claimed that the reopening will create significant investment opportunities.
Regarding the upcoming general elections, Sucuoğlu said he was convinced his party will win the majority of votes and will continue to remain in office without the need for a coalition. He also said that his party’s goal will be to introduce a series of sweeping and radical reforms.
KEY ACTORS
Sucuoğlu (UBP)
>> UBP fully backs Ersin Tatar & a two-state solution.
>> 50 years of failed talks demonstrated that a federal settlement is not possible.
>> Any talks can only be between two equal & sovereign states.
>> Overwhelming majority of TCs support Turkey & Turkey’s guarantees.
>> TC side will respond in kind to any form of unilateral hydrocarbon activity.
>> Maraş (Varosha) initiative will continue to go ahead as planned.
The process leading to early elections in the north gets underway
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The process leading to early elections in January next year got underway on Monday. The Turkish Cypriot Higher Electoral Board (YSK) officially confirmed the total number of “TRNC” citizens in the north was 245,869 and provided a breakdown of the population for all six districts.
In this regard, Nicosia continues to be the biggest district in the north with 79,189 citizens, securing 16 seats in the parliament It is followed by Famagusta in second place with 62,237 with 13 seats in the parliament. Kyrenia is in third place with 53,261 “TRNC” citizens, followed by Iskele (Trikomo), which will have five seats in the parliament with 25,228 citizens. Güzelyurt (Morphou) is in fifth place with 17,490 citizens and Lefke (Lefka) is the last with 8,486 citizens and two seats.
The YSK additionally confirmed that the number of MPs from Kyrenia increased by one to 11 while the seats for Güzelyurt (Morphou) dropped by one to three in total.
The electoral board also said the number of voters eligible to cast their votes in the upcoming general elections in the north on January 23, 2021, is 203,183 with an increase of 12.063 in voters since the last elections held three years ago on January 7, 2018.
The YSK also announced that the election prohibition period has entered into force on Friday. In this regard, the public institutions and civil servants by law are required to maintain an impartial stance towards all the political parties.
It is also banned to recruit or employ anyone nor the authorities in power can promote or give any sort of increment to anyone during the election prohibition period.
Granting new “TRNC” citizenships are also prohibited during this period. Officials are not allowed to distribute, allocate or lease any state-owned or private properties during this period. The law on election prohibitions also prohibits the candidates from attending any type of ceremony, including inaugurations.
The YSK also reminded the political parties that December 14, 2021 is the deadline to submit the list of candidates.
The dailies report that the National Unity Party (UBP) will accept applications until December 3. Speaking to Turkish Cypriot news agency TAK, UBP general secretary Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said there will be an election among the candidates on December 11 to finalize the list of 50 candidates.
The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) on the other hand will accept applications until December 4. Speaking to Turkish Cypriot news agency TAK, CTP general secretary Erdoğan Sorakın said the party will put all the applications to vote on December 11 to finalise its list of candidates.
People’s Party (HP) General Secretary Gülşah Sanver Manavoğlu said the party will accept applications until December 4 and will hold a final election on December 11 as well.
Democratic Party (DP) has set a deadline of December 1 for applications and will hold an election on December 9 to finalise its list of candidates.
In the meantime, Social Democratic Party (TDP) will finalise its election procedures during a Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting on Monday night. The Rebirth Party (YDP) on the other hand has collected nearly 90 applications for a list of 50 names.
Speaking to Turkish Cypriot news agency TAK, YDP general secretary Enver Öztürk said there will be an election held on December 12 to finalise the list. According to the law in force, a minimum of 30 per cent of the party’s final list of candidates must be women.
Five month prison sentence for five tons of smuggled meat
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Yılmaz Sarmış has been sentenced to five months of imprisonment after being arrested in Bostancı (Kato Zodeia) with five tons of meat smuggled from South Cyprus.
Sarmış had been arrested in April 2019 when his tractor used to smuggle the meat was stuck in mud in a military zone. He was following initial trial was released on bail.
The Nicosia heavy crimes court announced its verdict on Sarmış on Monday.