Turkish Cyprus gov’t falls as motion passed

NICOSIA – Anatolia News Agency

The Turkish Cyprus Prime Minister İrsen Küçük should submit his resignation to President Derviş Eroğlu in accordance with the internal regulation. AA photo

President Derviş Eroğlu is expected to ask the National Unity Party to form a caretaker government until elections.

The Turkish Cypriot government fell on June 5 after a vote of no confidence passed through Parliament.

A group of lawmakers from the ruling National Unity Party (UBP) recently issued the motion together with opposition parties, pushing the country into political turmoil. Out of the 50-seat Parliament, 27 lawmakers voted for the motion while 21 UBP lawmakers voted against it. Prime Minister İrsen Küçük was expected to hand his resignation to the President Derviş Eroğlu. The ruling party and the opposition agreed last month to hold early elections on July 28. Parliamentary elections were due to be held in April 2014.

‘Clear disrespect’

Prime Minister Küçük said it would be a “clear disrespect” to society’s will if efforts were made to form a new government ahead of the election process, adding that he expected that his party should be given responsibility to form the caretaker government.

EU Minister Egemen Bağış recently said Turkey was unsatisfied with the political crisis in Turkish Cyprus and urged its resolution as soon as possible. Turkish Cyprus sees growing public discontent with the administration. Ankara has pressured Turkish Cyprus into reforming its political system and economy. Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay met with Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister İrsen Küçük in April and presented a comprehensive study which reflected the growing displeasure of the public over the status of the country.