Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-01-09

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

CONTENTS

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozersay says that he will not cooperate with the UBP

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot press assesses the results of the "elections"

[03] Sefik stressed that "amendment should be made in the new election system"

[04] Cakici resigned from his party's leadership

[05] The "unofficial" results of the political parties per "district" for the "early parliamentary elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] Erdogan, Yildirim and Akdag congratulated Ozgurgun for his "election victory"

[07] Turkish Cypriot daily compares the results of the three latest "parliamentary elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[08] Aksener said that a referendum should take place for the annexation of Cyprus to Turkey

[09] MHP to support Erdogan in 2019 presidential election, calls on AKP for alliance

[10] Turkish Deputy PM: Turkey's state of emergency to be extended once again

[11] Poll: Turkish citizens' support for EU membership on the rise

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozersay says that he will not cooperate with the UBP

Referring to the above-mentioned statement, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.01.18) reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has also decided that it will not cooperate with the UBP and therefore holding new "early parliamentary elections" has come onto the agenda. The paper points out that any alternative of establishing "a coalition government" without UBP's participation requires the cooperation of at least four parties.

(I/Ts.)

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot press assesses the results of the "elections"

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.01.18) reports that the "elections" held on 7 January 2018 were the 14th "parliamentary elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus and that for the first time six parties managed to enter into the "assembly". While there were only four women in the outgoing "assembly", this number increased to nine in the new "parliament". Three women were "elected" with the CTP, three with the UBP and three with the People's Party (HP).

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (09.01.18) points out that the UBP came first in all six "districts" and that the turnout decreased to 66,2% in 2018 from 69,41% in 2013.

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (09.01.18) refers to the "election results" under the title "Chaos" and reports that in spite of the fact that 48 hours passed since the ballot boxes were closed, the "official results" were not announced yet. The first impression regarding the scenarios for the new "coalition government" shows that "chaos" is about to come, notes the paper adding that holding new "early elections" is the most likely scenario.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Sefik stressed that "amendment should be made in the new election system"

In a press conference, Sefik observed that all the political parties have commented on the "new election system", adding that "definitely amendments should be implemented regarding this law".

(DPs)

[04] Cakici resigned from his party's leadership

He also stated that difficult days are expecting the Turkish Cypriots after the "elections" and claimed that last Friday, two days prior to the "elections", videos showing voters being bribed were published in social media.

Evaluating the results, Cakici stated that the "people" did not vote in favor of change adding that the will of the voters is not reflected in the results since 40% of them did not go to vote.

(CS)

[05] The "unofficial" results of the political parties per "district" for the "early parliamentary elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the results of the "supreme electoral council", the political parties received the following percentage of votes per district in the occupied area of Cyprus during the "early parliamentary elections" on January 7, 2018:

%	UBP	CTP	HP	TDP	DP	YDP	TKPYG	MDP
Nicosia	35.39	21	17.23	8.75	7.83	6.95	2.73	0.25
Famagusta	35.68	20.94	16.99	8.65	7.84	7.03	2.77	0.11
Keryneia	35.57	20.84	17.16	8.80	7.86	7.03	2.57	0.18
Morphou	35.93	21.22	16.94	8.33	7.83	7.02	2.63	0.11
Trikomo	35.99	20.97	17.01	8.38	7.84	7.07	2.60	0.14
Lefka	35.95	20.61	17.14	8.47	8.07	7.01	2.61	0.14

According to the results of the "supreme electoral council", the political parties received the following percentage of votes per "district" in the occupied area of Cyprus during the "early parliamentary elections" on July 28, 2013:

%	UBP	CTP	TDP	DP
Nicosia	24.41	41.34	7	21.72
Famagusta	27.66	35.97	7.72	26.10
Keryneia	31.17	37.33	8.28	20.37
Morphou	32.82	37.61	6.80	20
Trikomo	28.91	32.17	7.50	30.25

It is noted that the occupied district of Lefka is the first time that was included in the "elections" in 2018, as well as the political parties of HP, YDP, TKPYG and MDP.

(DPs)

[06] Erdogan, Yildirim and Akdag congratulated Ozgurgun for his "election victory"

According to a press release by Turkey's presidency, Erdogan, Yildirim and Akdag congratulated Ozgurgun by calling him over the phone.

(DPs)

[07] Turkish Cypriot daily compares the results of the three latest "parliamentary elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus

The National Unity Party (UBP) won the "elections" in 2009 by receiving 43,97% (26 "deputies"), decreased to 27,30% in 2013 (14 "deputies") and regained some of its power reaching 35,58% in 2018 (21 'deputies").

The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) received 29,34% in 2009 (15 "deputies"), reached 38,37% in 2013 (21 "deputies") and fell to 20,92% in 2018 (12 "deputies").

The Democratic Party (DP) received 10,6% in 2009 (5 "deputies"), increased to 23,11% in 2013 (12 "deputies") and fell to 7,84 in 2018 (2 "deputies").

The Social Democracy Party (TDP) participated in the "elections" held in 2013 receiving 7,43% (3 "deputies) and in 2018 increasing its percentage to 8,64% (3 "deputies").

The People's Party (HP) and the Revival Party (YDP) participated for the first time in the "elections" of 7 January 2018 and received 17,8% and 7% "electing" 12 and 3 "deputies" respectively.

The United Cyprus Party (BKP) received 2,4% in 2009, 3,21% in 2013, when it participated as BKP-TVG (Communal Existence Forces) and 2,67% in 2018 when it cooperated with the Communal Liberation Party (TKP).

The turnout was 81,70% in 2009, decreased to 69,61% in 2013 and fell to 66,2% in 2018. The registered "voters" were 161,373 in 2009 (131, 349 went to the ballot box), 172,803 in 2013 (120,287 went to the ballot box) and 190,553 in 2018 (126,196 went to the ballot box).

(I/Ts.)

[08] Aksener said that a referendum should take place for the annexation of Cyprus to Turkey

She made these statements speaking in Turkey's Tunceli. "I make this call from here. Ballot boxes should be placed in Cyprus in 2019 the way they will be placed in front of us. Let's see if you dare; bring the ballot boxes in front of the Cypriot citizens to decide if they want to be annexed to Turkey to see your nationalism. To see who you are; you "fresh water nationalists", she stated.

(CS)

[09] MHP to support Erdogan in 2019 presidential election, calls on AKP for alliance

"The MHP will not present a candidate for the presidential elections in 2019. Its chairman will not run for the presidency. It will support Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the presidency in line with our party's loyalty to the unity and togetherness of Turkey," Bahceli told Ankara bureau chiefs at a press conference on Jan 8.

He also called for legal amendments to be made in order to allow political parties to form pre-election alliances.

Bahceli's MHP has been in close cooperation with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) since the July 2016 military coup. Through its votes at Parliament the MHP played a vital role in Erdogan's plans to shift Turkey's political system from the current parliamentary system to an executive presidency.

The MHP's direct support to Erdogan, even though the AKP has not yet formally announced him as its candidate for the presidential polls, is part of a larger political plan amid recent opinion polls suggesting that the MHP would struggle to overcome the 10 % threshold to enter Parliament.

Bahceli also stated that he had not discussed this "alliance plan" with Erdogan or the AKP.

In addition, Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (09.01.18 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/akp-welcomes-mhps-support-for-erdogans-presidential-run-125428) reports that Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag has welcomed the Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) decision to support President Erdogan in the next presidential election, planned for 2019.

[10] Turkish Deputy PM: Turkey's state of emergency to be extended once again

"The state of emergency will be extended once again," Bozdag told reporters following a cabinet meeting on Jan. 8.

The state of emergency was first declared on July 21, 2016, in the wake of the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

In line with the Constitution, which allows state of emergency rule to be endlessly extended albeit in three-month periods, the coming extension is set to be sixth extension since the initial declaration in 2016.

[11] Poll: Turkish citizens' support for EU membership on the rise

The poll showed a rising trend in support for EU membership among Turkish citizens, 78.9 % of whom said they favored Turkey's membership to the EU. This figure was up from 75.5 % in 2016 and 61.8 % in 2015.

"Despite all negative developments between Turkey and the EU in 2017, this ratio is very significant," said IKV board chair Ayhan Zeytinoglu at a press conference to present the report.

"This high level of support is a message to our government. It shows a national will to take the necessary reform steps for the EU process and for a new process of rapprochement with the EU," Zeytinoglu added.

"It is also a warning to the EU. It shows that policies excluding Turkey lack vision and common sense and shows that it would be both unethical and a strategic mistake to keep out a country of 80 million, the majority of whom support EU membership," he said.

Only 31.2 % of respondents said they believe Turkey will become a member of the EU in the short term. Regionally, the southeast of Turkey appeared most optimistic in terms of accession "in the short term," with 56.2 % of respondents there saying it is possible.

Women and people with university degrees proved to be most skeptical in terms of membership in the short term. Some 72.8 % of women and 77.4 % of university graduates said they do not think the country will secure EU membership in the short term.

Meanwhile, 62 % of those polled said that their conviction that Turkey will become an EU member has weakened in recent years.

The poll comes amid reports of rapprochement between Ankara and various European capitals after relations plunged to bitter lows throughout 2017. Leaders of EU member countries have, however, suggested that Turkey's EU membership bid is unlikely to proceed soon

Economic welfare and development stands out as the most important reason to support EU membership for 48.3 % of those saying they support Turkey's membership bid. Development of democracy and human rights stood as the second most important reason, with 34.5 % of positive respondents citing it.

Some 41.4 % agreed with the statement that the EU means "high welfare levels and economic development," while 30.8 % agreed with the statement that the EU means "democracy and freedom."

Questioned about the obstacles in front of Turkey's potential EU membership, 46.6 % cited "economic reasons" and 44.3 % cited "double standards."

Meanwhile, only 4.7 % of the respondents said the EU "has no future," suggesting that there is little conviction among Turks that the EU is in a state of decline.

"These findings show that the EU fits in with the people's desire to pursue welfare and freedoms," said Zeytinoglu.

"Turkey's EU membership is not an unrealistic target. On the contrary, despite all difficulties it maintains its validity," he added.

Asked about French President Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "partnership" between Ankara and Brussels rather than "membership" during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Paris last week, Zeytinoglu said membership "remains important for Turkey."

"We should not be talking about anything short of membership. Turkey's accession to the EU might not take place in the near future but we need to walk forward towards this target," he added.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

https://www.pio.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio2013.nsf/All/EDB254ABD6F3EAE1C225816F00425E83?OpenDocument

(CS / AM)

Constantia Soteriou

Press and Information Officer -Turkish Press Section

P.I.O. | Ministry of Interior | Republic of Cyprus

*: 1456, Nicosia, Cyprus | (: +357 22801162 | 7: +357 22 666123

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