Nazlı: Elections Must Bring Workers’ Struggle Into Parliament

Nazlı made the remarks on “Gündem,” a programme hosted by Ulaş Barış on Kıbrıs Postası.
Stating that Independence Path lacked the human resources and budget to contest two elections simultaneously, Nazlı said the party’s decision not to participate in local elections did not mean it considered local government unimportant.
Recalling that the party’s Assembly had decided to contest the general elections, Nazlı said it had opted not to endorse any candidate in the local elections because none of the candidates aligned with its party programme. Party members had been left free to make their own voting choices, she added.
Nazlı said Independence Path published its election budget after every campaign period, making its spending transparent to the public by disclosing individual expenditure items.
Criticising the prominence of company executives and businesspeople on the candidate lists of major parties, Nazlı said her party wanted workers not merely to be represented but to have a direct say in decision-making and governance.
She also criticised the tendency of political parties in Parliament to adopt common positions on major issues, arguing that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) had failed to make effective use of the opposition strength it possessed during the previous term.
Nazlı stressed that if Independence Path entered Parliament, it would seek to amplify workers’ voices and keep the demand for a federal solution on the political agenda.
Emphasising that being in government and holding power were not the same thing, Nazlı said a political approach focused solely on changing the government would not be sufficient.
Stating that those advocating a federal solution to the Cyprus problem needed to strengthen their position, Nazlı said Independence Path would continue its struggle in that direction.