Front Page Headlines
We asked citizens: “No expectations”
Residents of Nicosia spoke to Yenidüzen, saying they had no expectation from the new government to be formed while complaining of the inadequacy of the system.
- Efforts to form government begin – Work at UBP (National Unity Party) has begun following the handing of the mandate to Ersin Tatar to form a government. Party organs authorised Tatar to form a new government. First meetings with CTP (Republican Turkish Party) and HP (People’s Party).
Mashallah and touch wood to new government
Following messages from CTP and UBP not to waste time, Mustafa Akıncı made a sudden decision to give the mandate to form a coalition to National Unity Party leader Ersin Tatar.
- Parliament left to school captains – School captains took over MPs’ seats in parliament as part of 19 May Youth and Sports Festival at a time when there is no government.
- Famous Greek Cypriot businessman arrested in the Caribbean – Alkiviades (Alki) David arrested for selling marijuana worth 1.3m USD according to Cyprus Mail.
Mandate given to Tatar, all eyes on HP
Akıncı gives the mandate to attempt to form a new coalition to National Unity Party leader Ersin Tatar. All await the outcome of the most critical meeting with the Peoples’ Party today. UBP to discuss HP’s conditions during the meeting on Wednesday.
- 14 Syrian refugees rescued – Greek Cypriot coast guard rescued 14 Syrian refugees from a boat drifting in the sea off the coast of Cape Greco.
Tatar achieved his desire
Akıncı gave the mandate to form a new coalition to Tatar. Akıncı also responded to (UBP MP Hasan) Taçoy’s criticism and said he did not delay the process on purpose but needed to consult all the political parties before giving the mandate.
- “Raped me many times” – Meryem Doğu, the lead suspect in Memduh Ulugün’s murder, testified in court saying the deceased repeatedly raped her after drugging her.
We don’t want words… we want action
Heads of economy-related organisations that came together on TV for the first time called on the government to take urgent measures.
- It will be over by next week – UBP leader Ersin Tatar was given the mandate to form a new government and granted full authority by his party to conduct coalition talks.
- He will fast and pray – Imam Erhan Bayandursun was released on bail after getting caught red-handed trying to sell stolen church property.
Tatar’s wish comes true
Following his contacts, Mustafa Akıncı gave the mandate to Ersin Tatar. Tatar received full authority from his party’s central executive committee to form a government, saying he aimed to do this in ten days. He said an interim government before early elections was also possible if he failed to reach an agreement with the parties to form a coalition. The first round of talks begins today. Tatar will be meeting in turn with the Republican Turkish Party, Peoples’ Party, Democratic Party (DP), Social Democratic Party (TDP) and Rebirth party (YDP) today.
- Eastern Mediterranean heating up – Turkey advancing its activities in the Mediterranean Sea.
Main News
UBP starts talks to form a new government
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Ersin Tatar was handed the mandate of forming a new government by President Mustafa Akıncı on Tuesday.
UBP’s authorised bodies convened on Tuesday afternoon, granting Tatar full authority to conduct coalition talks on behalf of the party.
Tatar addressed party members after the meeting, saying they expected to complete the process of forming a new government within a period of ten days.
“However, it should be known that we are not desperate or dependent on anyone. The possibility of an interim government before early elections stands should we fail to reach an agreement with the parties we shall be meeting with,” he said.
The UBP leader will be meeting with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Peoples’ Party (HP), the Democratic Party (DP), the Social Democratic Party (TDP) and the Rebirth Party (YDP) on Monday, the dailies report.
Akıncı handed the mandate to Tatar on Tuesday after meeting separately with the leaders of all six parties with seats in parliament. He responded to criticism that he had deliberately delayed the process saying that he had waited until Monday to start meeting with party leaders in an attempt to allow the parties, if they wished, to hold informal meetings or contacts.
Akıncı also highlighted the importance of dialogue between the president and government.
“It is always the public that pays the price for a lack of dialogue or petty disputes. I shall continue to be in good dialogue with the parties in government and opposition,” Akıncı said.
Heads of economic organisations who attended a programme on Diyalog TV called on the new government to be formed to take urgent measures regarding the economy.
They voiced the need to pass long-awaited reforms as soon as possible, drawing attention to the recession in the tourism, education, agriculture, commerce and real estate sectors.
Yenidüzen reported on Wednesday that the public has little or no expectations regarding a new government. Citizens who spoke to the daily complained of the uncertainty and lack of stability in the country.
Lute resumes contacts with leaders
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı spoke with the UN Secretary-General’s envoy to Cyprus, Jane Holl Lute, on the phone, Presidential Spokesman Barış Burcu said on Tuesday.
Akıncı held a 20-minute conversation with Lute upon a request by the UN envoy to exchange views on the latest developments and to discuss possible steps that could be taken in the future.
Imam charged with stealing church artefacts released on bail
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Erhan Bayandursun, the imam at the Selemiye Mosque in Nicosia who was caught red-handed while trying to sell stolen church artefacts, was released on bail on Tuesday, according to Diyalog newspaper.
Bayandursun and two others had been caught trying to sell two church bells and five chandeliers.
Police said the investigation into the incident was continuing and that they had yet to determine where the stolen artefacts came from.