Denktas names Eroglu to form new TRNC government

Eroglu received his commission from the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, on Thursday, two days after Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat submitted his government’s resignation.
“I am giving the mandate to UBP leader Dervis Eroglu. I hope he can set up the government in 15 days,” Denktas told reporters late Thursday.
With the previous government hamstrung since losing its majority in April, Denktas said that it was time the TRNC considered moving to a presidential style of government.
“Considering the trouble the outgoing government had, it is time to move from a parliamentary system to a presidential system,” Denktas said. “If Eroglu succeeds in setting up a government, I would like it to do a study on such a prospect.”
Eroglu, who campaigned against a plan by the United Nations to reunify the two states on the island when the proposal was put to a referendum last April, said he welcomed being given the mandate by Denktas.
“I will start contacts with other parties at once with good will,” said Eroglu, whose UBP currently holds 19 of the 50 seats in the TRNC parliament. “I hope to form a government which has more than 26 MPs.”