Turkish Cypriots in breakaway northern Cyprus on Sunday go to the polls for snap ‘common elections’ with the Cyprus situation and dangerous economic system as their primary considerations. The competition got here a 12 months forward of time.
Former chief negotiator Ozdil Nami who additionally served as ‘finance minister’ provides his personal views on the political panorama within the Turkish-held north.
In an interview with Phileleftheros’ Frixos Dalitis Nami targeted on the primary standards behind the ‘vote’ of Turkish Cypriots and the alternatives they’ve earlier than them.
He particularly referred to the huge variations between the events of the Proper and the Left each in relation to the Cyprus situation and to the Economic system.
Right here is the total interview:
—What’s your evaluation for Sunday’s elections?
As with each election, Sunday’s common election is a vital one. There’s a sharp divide between the left and the precise wing events, particularly with regards to the long run dealing with of the Cyprus situation in addition to the economic system. So one can say this might be a vote on the long run imaginative and prescient of the Turkish Cypriots.
Relating to the Cyprus downside, broadly talking, the right-wing events are all defending the present two-state coverage whereas the left, need to see the resumption of talks based mostly on the UN parameters nevertheless in a time restricted and outcome oriented manner.
Relating to the economic system, the precise wing events are selling elevated ties with Turkey and so they need to proceed to make use of the Turkish Lira as the one formally curency whereas the left believes the present excessive inflation/devaluation of Turkish Lira isn’t one thing our economic system can shoulder and wish to undertake the Euro as foreign money of account in a stage by stage method. Equally, the precise believes in sustaining the present system of signing financial protocols with Turkey to acquire monetary assist whereas the left thinks that that system has proved to be flawed and a brand new system that’s extra dependable and fewer interventionist is required.
—The place is the abstention motion attributed and what affect do you suppose it should have on the outcomes?
We see a name for abstention in all elections. This election isn’t any totally different. Often the declare to assist this name to abstain arises from a sense of helplessness and resignation. There’s a sentiment amongst voters that neither the Greek Cypriot facet nor Turkey at the moment has the required political will to resolve the Cyprus situation in a mutually agreed method, subsequently this can be very tough if not inconceivable, to vary issues for the higher both on financial or social points. Some additionally don’t imagine we are able to have honest elections based mostly on what they noticed within the final presidential elections. I personally don’t share their evaluation that finest plan of action is to not vote as I don’t imagine abstention can have an effect on a change for the higher however as I perceive it that is how they justify their requires to not vote.
—What is going to the present outcome imply for the Turkish Cypriots? Do you suppose it’s going to have an effect on the Cyprus situation as properly?
Each election is a choice for the long run and each resolution has its penalties. A hit of the left will provoke a means of rethinking each on the Cyprus situation and financial relations with Turkey whereas a proper wing authorities will imply extra of the identical the place there is no such thing as a significant change in any of the key points that we face together with the Cyprus situation.
A proper wing authorities might take additional unilateral steps like on the opening of the closed metropolis of Varosha whereas a left wing authorities would pursue a coverage of performing in step with the prevailing UN Safety Council Resolutions. Nonetheless we have to acknowledge that with regards to the Cyprus situation the query is whether or not the Greek Cypriot management is able to commit itself to a brand new course of that might be time restricted and outcome oriented. A leftist authorities might attempt to work with President Tatar to pursue a brand new coverage that places strain on the Greek Cypriot management to make progress on the Cyprus situation by demanding resumption of talks for a federal answer however on the similar time asking for a transparent consequence that adjustments the established order on the island on the finish of the method.
—How do you consider the state of affairs of the Economic system and the way a lot will it have an effect on the outcome at this time?
As you recognize ‘TRNC’ is the one nation on the earth apart from Turkey that makes use of the Turkish Lira as its ‘official’ foreign money. When Turkish Lira is steady with low inflation and low devaluation this poses no issues. Nonetheless, we are actually witnessing a speedy rise in inflation which is performing as an oblique tax. As customers of Turkish Lira we’re paying this tax identical to any Turkish citizen in Turkey and like them our buying energy can also be quickly taking place.
At present that is essentially the most urgent financial situation that we have to adress. We additionally proceed to face the obstacles created by the Greek Cypriot administration to stop the efficient implementation of the EU Inexperienced Line Regulation in addition to implementing insurance policies of isolation that hinders financial growth within the North. All these when mixed make it very tough to have a powerful economic system.
All opinion polls point out that the financial state of affairs is the primary situation for the voter and they’re inclined to make their resolution on their notion of who can help them essentially the most in these tough instances. Contemplating the truth that doorways are closed on us by the EU and the GC Management for extra worldwide commerce and funding the primary supply of hope remains to be seen as additional financial integration with Turkey. The proper wing events are utilizing this as their primary election promise and it will in all probability have an essential affect on the end result.
—How essential a task will the exterior components play within the outcome? Are you afraid that there might be interference as within the earlier elections which Tatar received?
We have now not seen an interference just like that was seen over the last ‘Presidential’ election, nevertheless this doesn’t imply a milder messaging was not performed. I really feel that the voter is reacting negatively to such interference when it’s performed in a heavy handed method.
—What’s your view over the present political state of affairs within the Turkish Cypriot neighborhood?
The general outlook is much from ideally suited. Individuals discover it very tough to seek out any cause to be hopeful that issues can change for the higher within the quick run. The Covid state of affairs has added to the difficulties we already face because of the Cyprus situation and other people really feel the options to those issues require a change within the mentality of our neighbors relatively than our inside politics.
The result’s a give attention to particular person curiosity and survival within the quick run. This in fact is exactly what populist events feed on. However the Turkish Cypriot neighborhood has proved its resilience up to now and overcame much more tough conditions. I wish to imagine that we’ll as soon as once more uncover that spirit to seek out our manner again to a path for a brighter future.