Front Page Headlines
Local bankruptcy
While local revenues of municipalities that took on responsibilities at the highest level during the pandemic were slashed, the government also failed to carry out legal amendments to local administration laws it had promised. Four trade unions that have members in local administrations were on the streets. They have warned that their actions will be stepped up if their problems are not solved. They handed the Speaker of Parliament Önder Sennaroğlu a letter to be handed to 48 MPs outlining the demands of the local administrations.
- “The UBP needs to hold a congress to take part in the elections” – Tatar accepted Saner’s resignation passing it on to parliament. He said the government will remain in office until the elections are held.
Call for quorum in parliament to pass urgent laws
The bills to be discussed in the parliament have been shelved with the government’s resignation. Speaker of the parliament Önder Senneroğlu and Prime Minister Ersan Saner highlighted the importance of convening parliament to pass urgent laws.
- “We want a humane work-life” – Four unions representing the workers employed at 28 municipalities staged a protest outside the parliament demanding the problems at the local administrations to be solved. Trade unions handed over letters to the speaker of the parliament Önder Senneroğlu to be given to all the 48 MPs.
Tatar helps Saner take a deep breath
President Ersin Tatar sent a letter to the speaker of the parliament Önder Sennaroğlu, informing him that he has accepted the resignation of the government and added the current cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until the new government is elected.
- Come to us with your solutions – The failure of the government to find any solutions to their problems resulted in four trade unions representing workers employed in 28 municipalities staging a protest outside of parliament. Six mayors and some council members also supported the workers’ protest. The unions warned the political parties that will come to power.
- Famagusta falling into decay, Maraş (Varosha) is a construction site – Famagusta Municipality started infrastructure work for electricity and water drainage as well as building a new road in Maraş (Varosha) next to Polat Paşa Boulevard and Ermou Street.
The congress cannot be cancelled
Speaking to Diyalog, Prime Minister Ersan Saner said that elections could be held by the end of December if the opposition gave its support. Saner said that the National Unity Party (UBP) congress will go ahead as planned at all costs putting an end to speculative news that it might not be held. He told the daily that the UBP has 20 MPs including Hüseyin Özgürgün, the majority of whom will be supporting him. Saner expressed his belief that he will be elected as leader.
- Official ceremony tomorrow – An agreement is being signed between South Cyprus and Egypt for the interconnectivity of electricity lines.
- It is of strategic importance – Russian oligarch Kesaev who has Republic of Cyprus (RoC) citizenship purchased an island in Finland.
- Its height is four meters –The potato monument in the Greek Cypriot village of Xylophagou makes headlines.
More should have been done to those who call Turkey “an occupier”
Turkish daily Akit known for its fanatical and aggressive stance among pro-Erdoğan newspapers gushed out its hatred again…Noting that the decision to bar “Turkish Cypriots in favour of the Greek Cypriot side” had been adopted last September, the daily said: “Avrupa newspaper criticized the decision to ban (former Turkish Cypriot leader) Mustafa Akıncı and his cronies and dared to claim they need not go to Turkey.” Targeting the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Akit said Akıncı had accused the Turkish armed forces (TSK), which had rescued the Turkish Cypriots from being massacred, of shedding blood on the island and implying they were murderers.
- Have you seen such a statue of a potato? – The 4m tall, gigantic potato statue in Xylophagou village in Larnaca district cost €15,000.
- Four trade unions staged a protest – BES (Municipal workers’ union), DEV-İŞ (Federation for revolutionary workers’ unions), HÜR-İŞ (Independent workers’ union), and Turkish Famagusta general workers’ union drew attention to the economic crisis and the negative effects of the covid-19 pandemic on the local administrations.
Main News
Tatar accepts government’s resignation, launching process for a new one
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Havadis, Avrupa
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar announced on Thursday that he had accepted the triparty coalition’s resignation submitted by Ersan Saner a day earlier. In a statement issued from his office, Tatar said the National Unity Party (UBP)-Democratic Party (DP)-Rebirth Party (YDP) continue will continue to serve as the interim government until a new one is formed.
“The government is still responsible towards the people and certain legislative work will continue,” he said, adding that the election law needed to be revised as soon as possible. Tatar also noted that the Supreme Electorate Board also has expectations in this regard.
Tatar said he will continue to be in dialogue with the heads of political parties to manage the way forward in line with the existing laws. “I believe that the political will in the parliament needs to be changed with an early election and then a new government will be formed,” Tatar concluded.
Akar: “Turkey will do everything to protect the rights and interests of Turkey & TCs”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Havadis, Avrupa
Regional/ International Relations, External Security
OVERVIEW
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar on Thursday said: “Ankara will do everything to protect the rights and interests of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.” He added the Ministry of Defence is closely following the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus.
Akar attended the opening ceremony of the National Defence University for the 2021-2022 academic year. He held an evaluation meeting with the administrative and military management staff of the university on military and academic education and training activities.
“Whatever needs to be done to protect our rights and interests will be done in the same way when the time and place comes, as has been done under the leadership of our President. Let no one doubt that” Akar stressed.
Noting that Turkey closely follows all the developments in the north of Iraq and Syria, the Aegean, the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus, Akar said “We must protect the rights of our noble nation and every bit of its law.”
Akar added Ankara insists on acting within the framework of international law and good neighbourly relations in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus. “We are committed to peace and dialogue,” the minister said and reiterated that Turkey will not allow any fait accompli to take place.
“We are determined and capable of it,” Akar concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Akar (Turkey)
>> Ankara will protect its rights & those of TCs at all costs.
>> Ankara insists on acting within the framework of international law & good neighbourly relations in the Aegean, East Med & Cyprus.