Özuslu: “We Will Win This Election by a Wide Margin”

Calling the corruption and fake diploma allegations in the higher education sector “one of the biggest scandals in the country’s history,” Özuslu said:

“Education has been turned into a trade. Universities became a means to make money. At one point, we reached a stage where making money justified every means, regardless of how students were recruited. This mentality has only deepened the swamp. Now we are dealing with mosquitoes, but without draining the swamp, this problem cannot be solved.”

“One Minister Granted Permits to 16 Universities — The System Decayed”

Özuslu stressed that the lack of oversight in the university sector has persisted for years, pointing to mistakes made in the past:

“During Kemal Dürüst’s term as minister, 16 universities were granted permits. Out of 32 universities in total, half were approved by a single person. That alone shows how the system functions. Education was turned into a sector where quality was not a priority, and as a result, dirty money and criminal networks infiltrated the field.”

The CTP MP said he welcomed the swift response from the police and prosecutors, adding: “I hope these investigations conclude without being influenced by the election. But this should not be limited to a single university — all reports and complaints must be investigated.”

“The Two-State Decision Is Nothing New”

Özuslu also addressed the recent parliamentary debate on the “two-state solution” proposal concerning the Cyprus issue, saying that the position is not new:

“Mr. Ersin claims to have introduced a ‘new policy,’ but that’s not true. Similar decisions can be found in the parliamentary archives dating back to 1994. In 1998, there was a confederation resolution; in 2000, one on sovereign equality. So, this is not new — it’s simply a repetition of the past.”

Recalling the “autonomous relations formula” discussed during Bülent Ecevit’s time, Özuslu said, “It was a model where the TRNC would be autonomous in internal affairs but linked to Turkey externally. The current two-state solution claim is just another version of those earlier discussions.”

“The Rights of Turkish Cypriots Are at Risk”

Özuslu argued that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides’s policies pose a threat to Turkish Cypriot rights, but blamed this situation on “an approach that abandoned diplomacy.”

“Christodoulides’s leadership style is based entirely on populism and cunning. But by walking away from the table and refusing dialogue, we’ve left the field open to him. Now he’s free to play the game as he wishes — and the goals are being scored in our own net,” he said.

He also warned that individual rights of Turkish Cypriots could be jeopardized:

“Turkish Cypriots holding Republic of Cyprus passports and IDs could see their rights suspended. If the South decides one day that these passports are only valid in controlled areas, what will we do then? This is why returning to diplomacy is our only option.”

“There Has Been No Presidency for Five Years”

Özuslu criticized President Ersin Tatar for failing to engage in any diplomatic initiative on the Cyprus issue during his term:

“For five years, there has been no functioning presidency in this country. No meetings, no openings, no negotiations. International visibility is zero. They say we joined the Organization of Turkic States, but even there, references are made to the UN framework.”

Defining Tufan Erhürman’s vision, Özuslu said:

“Tufan Hoca is a leader who listens to everyone and excludes no one. With his knowledge and negotiation experience, he will represent the Turkish Cypriot people with dignity. The meaning of this election is not about the Cyprus issue — it’s about deciding whether this disastrous five-year period will continue or not.”

“We Will Win This Election by a Wide Margin”

Concluding his remarks, Özuslu said the CTP is witnessing strong support on the ground:

“Tufan Hoca is visiting every village. People tell us, ‘Don’t bother giving us brochures — we’ve already made our decision.’ We don’t just want to win; we want to win by a clear margin. It will be a night when people finally say, ‘What a relief.’”