**‘Come on, then!’ – Ustel Challenges North Opposition to Two Elections in One Day**
In a bold move, Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel has called on opposition parties to support his proposal for local and legislative elections to be held simultaneously in December. During an address to the Turkish Cypriot legislature on Monday, Ustel expressed his challenge directly to opposition leaders, stating, “Since you are all so gutsy, come on, then! Let’s have two elections at the same time! Come on!”
Ustel's proposal is grounded in legal requirements, as the law mandates that local elections must take place in December. Following discussions with Bertan Ozerdag, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot supreme election council, Ustel indicated that the first Sunday of December, specifically December 6, is the most likely date for these elections.
The proposal comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding revisions to the electoral law by Ustel’s ruling coalition. He emphasized that the changes being proposed were solely based on requests from Ozerdag, asserting, “Apart from that, we have not added a single word.”
The backdrop to Ustel's challenge includes a growing call from opposition parties for early legislative elections. This demand has intensified following the defeat of Ersin Tatar, the ruling coalition’s candidate in last October’s leadership election, by the opposition's Tufan Erhurman. The main opposition party, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has gained momentum in recent polls, further complicating the political landscape.
Despite the pressure from opposition factions, Ustel firmly stated that the discussion surrounding early elections is over. He asserted that the next legislative elections would either occur in January or coincide with the local elections in December. The last legislative elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were held on January 23, 2022, marking the longest interval between elections since a gap of more than five years occurred between the December elections of 1998 and 2003.
Ustel sought to reassure his supporters, declaring that neither his party, the National Unity Party (UBP), nor its coalition partners, the Democratic Party (DP) and the People’s Party (YDP), are evading elections. He stated, “The government will continue to explain its achievements to the public,” and hinted at future announcements, including a deal to construct a natural gas pipeline from Turkey to Cyprus.
However, the response from the opposition was far from supportive. CTP leader Sila Usar Incirli criticized Ustel’s timeline, suggesting that legislative elections should be held much sooner, ideally in August. “Can you really say ‘come on, then’ and throw down the gauntlet for six months’ time? Come on, then, let’s have it in 60 days’ time. This way, the new government can prepare the 2027 budget,” she argued. Incirli contended that a challenge for a date six months away lacked true courage and suggested that all parties present in the legislature should decide on the election date immediately.
In a surprising twist, dissent emerged from within Ustel’s ruling coalition as well. DP leader Fikri Ataoglu expressed reservations about holding both elections on the same day. During an appearance on public television, he stated, “We will not approve of holding two elections together just because three or five UBP MPs want it. The election date is a matter on which all parties can discuss and agree.”
As the political climate in Northern Cyprus continues to evolve, the proposed simultaneous elections have sparked significant debate among lawmakers. Ustel’s challenge to the opposition and the mixed reactions from within his coalition highlight the complexities of the current political situation, as parties navigate the demands of their constituents and the implications of upcoming elections. The coming weeks are likely to see further discussions and negotiations as the December elections approach.