Shifting Alliances in Northern Cyprus Coalition
In a move that could reshape the political landscape of Northern Cyprus, the Democratic Party (DP), a key player in the region’s coalition government, is contemplating an exit from its current alliance. The party’s congress, scheduled for Thursday, has the potential departure as a primary point of discussion, with outcomes expected to be disclosed by the evening.
While DP leader and the north’s ‘deputy prime minister’ Fikri Ataoglu is absent for the meeting, General Secretary Serhat Akpinar will preside over the proceedings. Ataoglu has indicated his intention to abide by the congress’s decision, signaling a pivotal moment for the party that has been instrumental in coalition governments for nearly two decades.
The DP’s influence in Turkish Cypriot politics cannot be overstated; they have been a central figure in governance for 19 of the past 30 years, collaborating with an array of five different parties. Their latest coalition began in 2020 with the National Unity Party (UBP) ‘prime minister’ Ersan Saner and has since supported two subsequent ‘prime ministers’.
A withdrawal by the DP would not immediately trigger a government collapse but would significantly weaken the coalition, reducing the parliamentary majority to a razor-thin margin of two. This precarious situation would leave the UBP heavily dependent on the support of the Rebirth Party (YDP), which is currently experiencing its own internal strife. The YDP faces a contentious leadership election, with candidates Erhan Arikli and Talip Atalay at odds, adding another layer of uncertainty to the legislative process.
The political dynamics in Northern Cyprus are at a potential turning point. The decisions made in the DP congress could lead to a significant realignment of power and test the resilience of the current coalition structure.
