The “interventions in the elections” by Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its “domestic collaborators” have reached their peak and aim to maintain the existing status quo, said Selma Eylem, president of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers’ Union (KTOEÖS), in a written statement. She noted that “interventions which for years were made in secret are now happening openly.”
According to reports from the north, Eylem said the “interventions” include the granting of citizenships, acts of political patronage, favouritism in appointments, temporary hirings, and the arrival of “noble (soylu) and ignoble (soysuz) people”, a wordplay referencing former Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, who recently visited the north in support of Ersin Tatar’s candidacy, as well as footballers, vice presidents and ambassadors, all aiming to influence the “elections.”
Their latest move, she added, is to bring the two-state solution proposal before the parliament to have it “approved in the coming days.”
Eylem said this action is directly linked to the October 19 elections, arguing that northern Cyprus, which has been reduced “to a subordinate administration,” has been excluded from international law and turned into “a haven for the mafia, looting and corruption.” She added that not only are UN resolutions being ignored, but even agreements signed by Turkey.
“This situation reflects an effort by circles who greatly benefit from maintaining the current conditions, an attempt to preserve the stolen status quo,” she said.
Eylem called on the cooperating “government partners” who have facilitated these interventions to investigate the sources of wealth of casino, hotel, “university” and “airport” owners in the north.
She concluded that KTOEÖS will continue to demonstrate its commitment to peace and a federal solution, resisting external interference and continuing the struggle for independence and freedom.
CNA