Harmanci says Christodoulides is trapped by ultranationalism after Cyprus Forum withdrawal

Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot Nicosia mayor Mehmet Harmanci said on Thursday that President Nikos Christodoulides “has become a prisoner of rising ultranationalism”. Speaking to Yeniduzen, he discussed withdrawing from last month’s Cyprus Forum when organisers stopped identifying him as a mayor.

Dispute over invitation and title

Harmanci told the newspaper that Christodoulides was also captive to Elam, which had initially objected to his invitation. He nevertheless emphasised the support he received across large sections of the Greek Cypriot community.

The forum had originally identified Harmanci as mayor of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality. Last week, however, its organisers described him instead as the leader of Nicosia’s Turkish Cypriot community. Individuals and associations started pulling out in the days before the forum was scheduled to open following the change in his designation.

In announcing his withdrawal, Harmanci attributed the altered title to Elam’s reaction. A week earlier, the party had said it was “dismayed to learn that the pseudo-mayor of occupied Nicosia will participate in the Cyprus Forum”.

Elam also said its members had received invitations but had made clear they would stay away if people it described as officials of the pseudo-state participated. Its member of the European Parliament, Geadis Geadi, attended the previous year’s forum.

Nicolas Kyriakides, the Cyprus Forum’s executive president, subsequently told the Cyprus Mail that Elam had demanded the cancellation of Harmanci’s invitation.

Support from Greek Cypriots

Harmanci said he had informed Greek Cypriot Nicosia mayor Charalambos Prountzos about the situation. He described Prountzos’s decision to leave the forum in solidarity as courageous, adding that Akel, the association for historical dialogue and research (AHDR), and other Turkish Cypriots later took similar positions.

According to Harmanci, the withdrawal triggered a chain reaction. He said progressive elements within the Greek Cypriot community had shown a firm commitment to working with Turkish Cypriots despite pressure from Elam.

He also said a relationship developed through mutual trust over 12 years had produced results, referring to his tenure as the Turkish Cypriot mayor of the capital, which started in 2014.

Harmanci will seek re-election on December 6, supported by his party, the TDP, and the CTP, which likewise favours a federal settlement in Cyprus.