Parliament of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Suspends Activities

The work of the General Assembly of the Republic has been suspended for one week. The meeting of the parliament was opened for the first time by the new speaker, Ziya Öztürkler.

Representatives of the opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and independent deputies were absent from yesterday's session of the General Assembly.

The Deputy Chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) stated from the podium that, according to the regulations, after the election of a new Assembly chairman, the opposition must nominate a candidate for the vice-speaker position. However, since their representatives did not attend the meeting, the work of the General Assembly has been suspended for one week. This decision allows the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and independent deputies to attend the next session, nominate candidates, and hold elections.

It’s important to note that the elections for the Presidential Council of the Assembly began on October 7 and lasted for 11 days, accompanied by numerous controversies. The election of the speaker concluded last week, and the decision to appoint Ziya Öztürkler as chairman of the TRNC Assembly was published in the "Official Gazette."

This decision has caused dissatisfaction among the opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP), which claims that at least three votes were invalid.