Erkut Şahali: When Tatar’s Views Drew No Attention, They Hid Behind Artists

Speaking on Kıbrıs Postası TV’s “Morning Post” programme hosted by Gökhan Altıner, Şahali said the parliamentary proposal was a hastily arranged maneuver, too trivial to hold legal weight, and underlined that the real representative of the Turkish Cypriot people would be determined by the voters themselves on October 19.

“THE TWO-STATE PROPOSAL PRESENTED FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION CLEARLY SHOWS TATAR IS LOSING”

Şahali described the last-minute proposal as an election trick that ultimately carried little significance. He stressed that the candidate who genuinely represents the people will be chosen through their votes.

He also addressed YDP leader Erhan Arıklı’s remarks about taking over negotiation powers if CTP candidate Tufan Erhürman wins, emphasizing that the people will decide who represents them internationally. “The Turkish Cypriot people’s global representative is the leader elected by the community’s votes—the President,” Şahali said, adding that his party will continue efforts to unify society despite attempts to create division.

CAMPAIGN LEAD MAINTAINED

Reflecting on the election campaign, Şahali said their efforts had gone well, noting that they entered the campaign in the lead and the situation remains unchanged.

TURKEY RESPECTS THE WILL OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE

Responding to questions about Turkey’s stance after Parliament passed the two-state solution, Şahali said there would be no crisis, asserting that Turkey respects the people’s choice and will not ignore it. He added that, if Erhürman is elected, his first visit will be to Turkey—not merely out of tradition, but to convey the mutual benefits of a partnership-based solution in Cyprus, with Turkey as a guarantor.

ANY SOLUTION REQUIRES TURKEY’S APPROVAL

Şahali rejected claims that federation would leave Turkish Cypriots a minority and undermine guarantees, calling such statements offensive to those who have long fought for their rights. He stressed that any solution requires the approval of all guarantor countries, and Turkey will not allow an outcome against its or the Turkish Cypriot community’s interests.

TATAR HIDES BEHIND ARTISTS WHEN VIEWS FAIL TO GAIN ATTENTION

Finally, Şahali criticized Tatar’s campaign for attempting to fill rallies with free concerts by artists whose fame in Turkey would attract crowds, even distributing brochures without Tatar’s name. He said this tactic would likely alienate voters rather than win support, contrasting it with Erhürman’s direct engagement with the public and community organizations.