People’s Party Unveils “Roadmap for a New Era”

The People’s Party (HP) unveiled its manifesto, titled “Roadmap for a New Era,” at a press conference.

Speaking at the event, held at the headquarters of the Cyprus Turkish Sports Writers Association, HP leader Kudret Özersay outlined the party’s priorities under six main headings, its first planned actions if it comes to power, and its targets for completing unfinished projects.

In his presentation, Özersay identified the digitalisation of public services, preventive oversight against corruption, restructuring the healthcare system, education, the economy, and public order and entry and exit procedures as the party’s priority areas.

PRIORITIES SET OUT UNDER SIX HEADINGS

The six priorities identified by the People’s Party for the new era are as follows:

1. Digitalisation of public services

2. Preventive oversight in the fight against corruption

3. A healthcare approach based on the principle that what matters is not building facilities but establishing a functioning system

4. Education

5. Inflation and the economy

6. Public order and entry and exit procedures

“THE NEEDS OF STATE SCHOOLS WILL BE A PRIORITY IN EDUCATION”

Under the education heading, the manifesto stated that necessary measures would be taken in response to rising student numbers in state schools. It stressed that improving the quality of education in state schools would be a priority and said full-day education would no longer be turned into a matter of stubbornness and confrontation.

The manifesto said municipalities’ legal obligations to meet the needs of state schools would be expanded and that failure to fulfil these obligations would be subject to sanctions.

It also stated that steps would be taken to bring private school fees down to reasonable levels. Strengthening guidance and psychological counselling services in schools was also among the party’s objectives.

The manifesto further noted that vocational schools and existing protocols would be strengthened.

SHIFT TO “INFLATION TARGETING” IN THE ECONOMY: VAT TO BE ZEROED ON BASIC NECESSITIES

Under the economy heading, the party announced that it would adopt an inflation-targeting policy, with an approach focused not on paying out cost-of-living increases but on protecting purchasing power.

Measures envisaged in this context include zeroing VAT on basic necessities, reducing bureaucratic procedures related to imports and lowering input costs for agricultural products.

To reduce expenditure and increase revenues, the party plans to introduce measures concerning the construction sector, higher education, tax reform and a technology investment free zone.

DIGITAL SYSTEMS FOR ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURES AND PUBLIC ORDER

The manifesto outlined concrete steps on public order and entry and exit procedures, including plans to establish reciprocal criminal-record and data-sharing arrangements with Turkey.

Other measures under this heading include creating an up-to-date online population registration system, renewing the Police Service Law and strengthening security through artificial intelligence-supported digital systems.

FIRST ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IF THE PARTY COMES TO POWER

The People’s Party manifesto also outlined five measures planned for the initial period if the party takes office.

These include making the current state of public finances available to the public, reviewing all transactions carried out before election prohibitions came into force and cancelling those found to be illegal.

The party also aims to abolish the prison director’s authority to grant sentence reductions, repeal the legal provision that effectively criminalises journalism under the pretext of the “presumption of innocence,” and immediately take steps to lift the parliamentary immunity of MPs under investigation.

“UNFINISHED PROJECTS WILL BE COMPLETED”

The manifesto also presented 11 areas of work aimed at completing unfinished projects.

These include completing public-sector reform, implementing the “How Did You Get Rich?” Law and carrying out the Maraş initiative.

Other planned measures include establishing a modern vehicle inspection system through a public-private partnership, taking concrete steps to enforce vehicle standards on the roads, and drafting a “Piracy Law” followed by the introduction of strict inspections.

Resolving the problems faced by specialist privates and non-commissioned officers serving under the Security Forces Command (GKK) was also included in the manifesto.

VOTING RIGHTS FOR TURKISH CYPRIOTS LIVING ABROAD ON THE AGENDA

The People’s Party also announced plans to introduce voting rights abroad and grant Turkish Cypriots living overseas the right to vote subject to certain criteria.

The manifesto further stated that the Citizenship Law would be amended and discipline would be introduced into parliamentary proceedings.

In the “Roadmap for a New Era” manifesto presented by People’s Party leader Kudret Özersay, the party announced its planned measures across a range of areas, from public administration and the economy to education and security, as well as the initial reforms it intends to implement if it comes to power and the projects it aims to complete.