YDP formally withdraws from Turkish Cypriot ruling coalition

Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot far-right party YDP has formally withdrawn from the north’s ruling coalition, its leader Erhan Arikli said on Friday, two days after he was dismissed as ‘transport minister’.

Arikli said he had informed the UBP, the coalition’s largest party and the party of ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel, of YDP’s decision after its internal bodies voted to withdraw support shortly after his removal.

Formal notification

Speaking to Kanal T, Arikli said he sent the notification letter to the UBP at 11am on Thursday.

“You can ask Ahmet Savasan,” he said, referring to the UBP secretary-general. Savasan had said on Thursday that, despite Arikli’s announcement late on Wednesday that YDP intended to leave the coalition, no formal notification had been received.

Parliamentary balance

YDP’s departure leaves the coalition comprising the UBP and DP with an effective majority of three in the 49-member Turkish Cypriot legislature.

The coalition has the backing of 23 UBP members, two DP members and independent Hasan Tosunoglu.

The opposition comprises 18 CTP members, YDP’s two members and three independents: Aysegul Baybars, Izlem Gurcag Altugra and Jale Refik Rogers.

Ustel has not named a new ‘transport minister’.

Dismissal after ferry sinking

Arikli was relieved of his duties on Wednesday, three days after a passenger ferry sank off the coast of Kyrenia, killing at least 12 people.

Ustel said the move was intended to allow police and judicial authorities to investigate without “leaving any room for doubt” or concerns over conflicts of interest.

He said the decision was not a political move against YDP, adding that the DP and YDP had contributed during four and a half years of coalition government.

Ustel said no person removed from office could be declared guilty before a judicial verdict was delivered.