KKTC starts talking polls in November
Confident of CTP popularity as Turkish Cypriots start to see signs of an end to their international isolation, Talat proposed fresh polls for Sept. 26, just nine months into its mandate. However, the proposal is unlikely to be endorsed by the majority of parliamentarians. The current Parliament was elected in December.
After Saturday’s vote, Talat, in no jubilant mood that his government survived the no-confidence motion of the main opposition party, reiterated that early elections have become a must, and appealed for opposition deputies to vote in favor of an election in September.
Both wings of the ruling — and shaky — coalition of Talat, namely, the CTP and Serdar Denktas’ Democrat Party (DP), have expressed support for early elections. But they are divided over a date, and so far have been unable to win enough support for new polls. Opposition legislators are instead calling for a new government to be formed.
"Early elections are inevitable, but elections when? We’re evaluating that," Talat said after Saturday’s vote.
Pressure for early elections appeared to be growing Saturday. Even opposition leader Dervis Eroglu, who has repeatedly said Talat should resign, left open the possibility of elections in the autumn.
Main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) leader Eroglu said his party was against snap polls, but was ready for elections be held in November as parties would have time to make the necessary preparations.
The vote of no-confidence was sought by the UBP after resignations left the pro-unification coalition, led by Talat, with a minority in the legislature.
The MPs voted 25-25 in the 50-seat Parliament where the government of Prime Minister Talat holds 23 seats (18 MPs from his own CTP and five deputies from the coalition’s junior partner the DP. Two MPs belonging to minor parties backed the government in the vote.
At least 26 votes were needed to topple the two-way coalition government.
The split 25-25 result allowed Talat’s minority government to narrowly hold on to power. Another motion cannot be submitted to Parliament for another three months.
Talat is pushing for an end to Turkish Cypriots’ international isolation after they voted for a U.N. plan to reunite Cyprus in an April referenda.
Greek Cypriots voted against the plan, prompting widespread calls to bring the Turkish Cypriots in from the cold.
The Turkish Cypriot state is still recognised only by Ankara. In sharp contrast, Greek Cyprus became part of the EU on May 1.
But Washington and the EU are actively seeking ways to ease the north’s isolation. On Wednesday, the European Commission unveiled a proposed trade and aid package for the north, including a grant of 259 million euros ($320 million).
