Cyprus problem and the general elections in north Cyprus
Once again general election is in the agenda in northern Cyprus. Fully fledged negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary General of the UN, to find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem, started may be for the fiftieth time, are going on. Hopes for a solution are not seen on the horizon yet.
Mr.Talat, the president of the TRNC says, “if Turkey says; sit down I sit down, walk out then I walk out” and carries on adding, “nobody, who is not in parallel with Turkish policies, can win any elections in north Cyprus.” It has been proven in the past that to win an election is not sufficient to seize the power either.
Because of their “we can solve the Cyprus problem” catch phrase, a political party which was in the opposition with about ten percent electoral votes for more than thirty years has been in the government in north Cyprus for more than five years now. The idiom, “incomers are making out goers longed for” is once again being remembered by the people.
Expectations for a solution by the Annan Plan stimulated an uncontrolled economic growth in north Cyprus, which was not designed. At the same time World Bank and Civil Service Reform reports were presented to the government. Despite of all these, no reforms were neither implemented, nor hopeful steps were taken for attaining a comprehensive settlement. Meanwhile the economic boom is replaced by the economic collapse. Regardless of all the promises made, conversely the hopes are destroyed completely.
We are back to square one. There has never been a habit of keeping to promises declared in election manifestos on this piece of land. There seems to be no difference between the current government and the past governments. On the eve of elections, they are still giving bribes to the people. People are astonished to see 2% price reductions on already 100% increased commodity prices.
On top of the internal economic problems, northern Cyprus economy is hit by the global crisis. While the arguments that “we are isolated from the rest of the world therefore crises cannot reach us” were put forward, the government budget was exhausted and at the end, the pensioners and the civil servants were not paid on time, for the time being ten days delay. It looks as though that the Turkish government struggling with her internal economic and structural problems and the approaching local elections, is not financing salaries any more. A fatal situation!!
Not accepting the existence of the economic crisis for a long time, the government is, at last, introducing economic recovery packages. It is obvious that the “packages” are not economic minded at all, but till the general elections, as though they are election bribes. Now that the election date is announced, all the political parties are queuing on their way to Ankara to find out an answer to the question “whom will Ankara point out?”
It is insignificant who is elected as a “representative of the people” while under the control of Ankara, who defy the international law, court rulings and United Nations conventions. We should not be unfair, in fact it is significant! It makes a huge difference on sharing; it makes a difference among whom the budget and the state resources are shared. Although it is not capable of paying salaries on time, when one considers the fact that this small and unrecognised state controls a huge unattended property and the financial structure, it has always and will continue to be attractive to be in those chairs.
The President, House Speaker, Prime minister and half of the Parliamentarians are from the same political party and while there is at least legally more than a whole year for the normal election time, early elections are now being called. When there is no possibility at all of a lack of confidence motion against them at the Parliament, a political party who is still stating that “we shall solve the Cyprus problem by June 2009 or in any event by the end of the year and hold referenda” is, instead of solving the Cyprus problem, calling an early election. A baffling situation! May be, there is a power struggle within the party!?
As far as we understand, the reason for the early elections is for personal concerns and political gains. But another message is also given which will have devastating effect on the Turkish Cypriots; “there is no early solution, we have no economic recovery plan, Turkey is in turmoil and financial assistance from her is scarce, everybody has to look after him or herself”
The big partner of the government, to save themselves, is assessing the way out in an early election. Will they try to pass on this hot potato to someone else’s lap, as the phrase says, “my God, take back your trust”? As though all these are not enough, the Orams case is close to a conclusion and nobody will want to be around then. Or, they may be hoping to be re elected before they are further frayed, by saying “we are the only alternative for a solution” while hiding their contribution in the no solution.
In an environment where the will power of the Turkish Cypriots is ineffective, it is impossible for the politicians with a free will to be successful. For the continuation of the communal existence of the Turkish Cypriots, the political power has to be gained back. The only way to gain the power back goes through the political settlement.
2009 and post 2009 will be hard for the Turkish Cypriots, harder than ever
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Ali Erel
President - Cyprus EU Association