Erhürman: "There Is a Solution, We Are Ready"

CTP members, deputies, and supporters joined the protest, carrying placards that read, "The people are poor, the rulers are rich," "Enough with inflation, price hikes, and poverty," "No household should be without meat," "The government is full, the people are hungry," and "Empty pots, but overflowing funds for the party congress."

During the event, Erhürman, alongside Mayor Süleyman Uluçay, deputies, and party members, also visited market vendors. In his statement, Erhürman emphasized the widening income inequality in the country, noting that the middle class was "disappearing."

"The Middle Class Is Vanishing"

Erhürman pointed out that while wages may be increasing numerically, even in foreign currency terms, this rise does not translate into purchasing power for citizens. "Salaries may be going up, even in foreign exchange terms, but the number of loaves of bread and liters of milk people can buy is decreasing every day. Our concern is not the numerical increase in salaries but preserving the purchasing power of citizens and ensuring that even those at the lowest income levels can meet their basic food and hygiene needs," he stated.

Minimum Wage as a Political Move?

Referring to the recently announced minimum wage, Erhürman suggested that the high rate might be a "political maneuver" ahead of the upcoming party congress. He expressed concern that employers might contest the wage increase after the congress.

"You Are Not Managing the Economy"

Erhürman criticized the government, claiming, "We’re not saying you're mismanaging the economy; you’re not managing it at all. You’ve adopted a 'let things go' approach." He warned that the government’s failure to act was already impacting sectors like construction and tourism, and pushing more economic activity to the southern part of the island.

Recalling a similar situation in May, when a wage agreement was reduced by 124 TL just 10 days after being set, Erhürman speculated that the absence of employers in yesterday’s meeting could indicate a forthcoming objection to the new minimum wage after the congress.

Consequences of the Minimum Wage

If the new minimum wage remains unchanged, Erhürman predicted that many businesses, especially small enterprises, would raise prices to cover their rising labor costs, further fueling inflation. Businesses unable to cope might cut staff, lower worker quality, hire more third-country nationals, evade regulations, or even go bankrupt, he warned.

“If this is a maneuver ahead of the party congress—to announce a high minimum wage now and reduce it after the congress upon employer objections—then we’ll see the minimum wage sink below the poverty line,” Erhürman stated.

"This Is Leading Us to Oblivion"

Erhürman expressed frustration with the current policies, stating that while CTP has been warning about the consequences of these economic strategies, those who remained silent in the past are now suffering. “We are not forced into a false choice between two bad options,” he said, alluding to the Turkish phrase “kırk katır mı, kırk satır mı” (a choice between two equally bad outcomes). "We reject this dilemma."

He argued that the current situation stems from the government’s inability to manage the country and the economy. "The alternative is not one of two bad choices, but to bring together capable people to manage the economy. CTP is ready, and the public’s patience is running out," he added.

"We Are Ready to Govern"

Erhürman called for the current administration to step down, declaring that poverty, inequality, and the elimination of the middle class can only be addressed with a change in leadership. "This mentality must go, and we are ready to govern. The situation can no longer be fixed with cosmetic adjustments," he stated.

He criticized the ruling party for focusing on the upcoming congress rather than addressing pressing issues like the minimum wage, schools, and temporary teachers. "This is not the administrative mindset that the Turkish Cypriot people fought for in their struggle for existence," he said.

Erhürman concluded his speech by reiterating, "This mentality will go. There is a solution, and we are ready."