Akpınar Slams Erhürman: Turkish Cypriots Will Not Submit to “Fantasy Federations”

Akpınar took aim at Erhürman’s remark — “We will vote not as right-wingers or left-wingers, but for the sake of our children and grandchildren” — arguing that this approach attempted to overshadow the Turkish Cypriot people’s decades-long struggle for existence. He accused Erhürman of disguising social engineering as a rejection of ideological labels, saying: “Exploiting sacred values such as our children and grandchildren for political gain is nothing but an effort to manipulate people’s emotions and strengthen one’s candidacy.”

Recalling the community’s history of resistance, Akpınar referenced the 1963 Bloody Christmas attacks and the 1974 Greek junta coup attempt: “Our people preserved their freedom only through their own resistance and Turkey’s use of its guarantor rights. These facts prove that our future does not lie in the illusion of federations.”

Akpınar stressed that the current debate centers on two paths: “Either follow the collapsed and one-sided federal dream, or embrace the vision set out by President Ersin Tatar and supported by Turkey — two sovereign states.”

Reiterating his party’s stance, he said the Democratic Party has always insisted that the people will not yield to unrealistic projects. He also called on the international community: “More than half a century of negotiations have proven the bankruptcy of the federation thesis. The real solution lies in the recognition of two equal sovereign states.”

Akpınar underlined that the Democratic Party, with its 33-year history, remains determined to carry this cause forward: “The ideas of our founder and Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş continue to guide us. We will remain faithful to the legacy and vision of ‘Baba Denktaş.’”