New Speaker of the TRNC Parliament Resigns After Just One Month

Ziya Öztürkler, the newly elected Speaker of the TRNC Parliament, has resigned from his position. His appointment, following the October elections, drew strong criticism from opposition parties.

Öztürkler announced his resignation through a post on social media, stating that he made the decision "to facilitate budget negotiations and to put an end to ongoing disputes."

• "I am stepping down from my role as Speaker of the TRNC Assembly to pave the way for budget negotiations, which are vital for our people, and to bring an end to the debates. I hope this decision will be understood by the leadership of the National Unity Party (UBP) and those who supported my candidacy in the speaker elections," he wrote.

Ziya Öztürkler assumed office on October 18, 2024, following an election process that began on October 7 and lasted 11 days, marred by numerous controversies.

His resignation has further fueled tensions with the opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP), which claims that at least three votes cast during the election were invalid. These disputes have kept the parliament in turmoil since then.

Last week, the parliamentary committee was expected to begin work on the 2025 budget. However, ongoing disagreements between the ruling party and the opposition forced the suspension of parliamentary operations for a week.

During his tenure, Öztürkler participated in significant ceremonies, including Republic Day on October 29 and the TRNC Foundation Day on November 15.