PM Üstel: Taçoy’s Remarks Are an Insult to Public Intelligence

Speaking to Gündem Kıbrıs, Üstel responded to claims that Taçoy intended to oppose the bill and that a vote was called within the UBP group without full consensus.

Calling Taçoy’s statements “an insult to public intelligence,” Üstel said:

“Do you really think the public has forgotten that Mr Taçoy personally approved a similar arrangement in 2022? Today, he claims he will not support the Police Organization Law while displaying a false sense of concern for merit and institutional integrity. Misleading the public in this manner is, at best, inconsistent. How can the regulation he endorsed yesterday suddenly become a ‘trap’ to oppose today? What political calculation or personal agenda lies behind this turnaround?”

“Attempting to Sabotage the Process at the Last Minute Is Not Compatible with Honesty”

Üstel also rejected Taçoy’s claim that he had informed party officials of his position in advance:

“No such notification was made to party authorities. During group meetings before parliamentary sessions or discussions ahead of the general assembly, no objections were raised. In fact, Mr Taçoy personally participated in the vote on the bill’s urgency. No official communication was made to party organs. Trying to sabotage the process with a last-minute populist appeal to the public is not consistent with honesty. These claims are baseless and merely an effort to avoid responsibility.”

“Acting Against the Group Decision Undermines Both Institutional Integrity and Party Discipline”

Üstel underlined that group decisions are binding for all MPs within the party, adding, “Those who act against the group decision damage not only institutional seriousness but also party discipline.”

He concluded his remarks with a firm message:

“People in this country do not suffer from amnesia. If you truly advocate for a Police Organization that is independent from politics, based on merit, and managed transparently and predictably, you should adopt a principled stance instead of shifting positions for convenience. Your statements, dressed in populism, benefit neither the Police Organization nor our institutions. The Turkish Cypriot public sees these contradictions and takes note.”