Turkish Cypriots organized a significant protest on Monday against recent welfare reductions linked to the cost-of-living allowance. The ruling coalition’s decision to suspend all payments of this allowance until at least next year sparked outrage among public sector workers, leading to a general strike.
Massive Protests and General Strike
Demonstrators marched to the Turkish Cypriot legislature from various directions, converging on Ayios Dhometios. They gathered initially on a nearby dual carriageway, where trade union leaders delivered speeches. Many protesters displayed placards with messages aimed at government officials. One sign read, “Do not be afraid, Unal, you cannot run away from the people,” targeting Prime Minister Unal Ustel. Another depicted Finance Minister Ozdemir Berova as Adolf Hitler.
Confrontation with Police
After the speeches, the crowd approached the legislature’s main entrance on the eastern side. Tensions escalated as demonstrators clashed with riot police, breaching a fence and pushing them back. Water bottles were thrown back and forth between the two sides, resulting in minor injuries.
By 1 PM, demonstrators successfully entered the complex after three hours of protest. However, several attendees experienced discomfort due to the warm weather and crowded conditions. Among those taken ill was Ahmet Serdaroglu, leader of the Cyprus Turkish trade unions’ federation (Hur-Is), who later returned after medical assistance.
Political Reactions and Calls for Elections
Members of the opposition party, CTP, participated in the protest. CTP leader Sila Usar Incirli proclaimed the government was “finished,” calling for an immediate withdrawal of the welfare cuts and scheduling elections. She criticized the ruling coalition for the police’s involvement in dealing with the protests, asserting, “there is no way out of this other than the ballot box.”
This protest followed an earlier demonstration against the allowance cuts. Last week, the ruling coalition attempted to pass the cuts through the legislature but failed. Initially open to negotiations, they later issued a decree implementing the cuts without parliamentary approval.
Legal Challenges Ahead
Labour Minister Oguzhan Hasipoglu defended the cuts as necessary for urgent economic reform. However, trade unions challenged the legality of this decree in court, arguing it contravened the ‘TRNC’s’ constitution. Article 112 allows economic decrees only in cases of urgency. The first court hearing coincided with the protest, and the case was postponed for further consideration.
As tensions around welfare reductions continue, it remains uncertain how the situation will unfold in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
