Ünal Üstel: CTP Means Crisis, It Means 100% Chaos

UBP leader and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel made statements on the election process during the “Açık Oturum” programme on KIBRIS TV, hosted by Dilek Kırıcı.

Describing assessments suggesting that CTP was leading in opinion polls as “perception campaigns”, Üstel said: “UBP will emerge from this election as the largest party. I say this with complete confidence.”

Stating that the country would face a crisis if CTP came to power, Üstel said: “Our people know that CTP means crisis; it means 100% chaos.”

Üstel claimed that CTP opposed projects being carried out with Turkey and said investments would be suspended in the event of a possible change of government.

“A CTP government would mean a period in which not a single nail could be driven, all projects would be suspended, and civil servants, workers and businesspeople would suffer. Neither the Nicosia State Hospital would be completed nor would construction of the stadium begin,” Üstel said.

Üstel reiterated his belief that UBP would emerge as the largest party in the December 6 elections.

“WE WILL INTRODUCE GENERAL HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE NEW TERM”

Referring to his goals for the new term, Üstel said legislative work on General Health Insurance had been completed and that the financial obligations involved had been assessed.

Stating that they aimed to implement the scheme as one of the first measures of the new term, Üstel said they wanted to establish a system allowing citizens to access healthcare services in Turkey using their identity cards.

He also announced that the new 343-bed Nicosia Hospital was targeted for completion in 2027 as part of healthcare investments.

5,000 SOCIAL HOUSING UNITS AND MARRIAGE SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Stating that they were preparing new support measures to encourage young people to remain in the country, Üstel said they aimed to build 5,000 social housing units over the next five-year period.

Üstel announced that newly married couples would be offered loans of 500,000 TL at low interest rates, while the support provided by the Ministry of Labour would be increased to 200,000 TL. He also said they planned to introduce VAT exemptions on white goods purchases for young people receiving social housing or rural land plots.

Üstel added that social security premium support for youth employment would be increased to 100%, and that a new initiative was being prepared to encourage young Turkish Cypriots living abroad to return to the country.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS, ZERO VAT ON BASIC FOOD PRODUCTS FOR CHILDREN

Outlining projects aimed at families, Üstel said they planned to provide support equivalent to 50% of the minimum wage to help working mothers reduce childcare costs.

He said mothers who did not work and took care of their children at home would receive support equivalent to one-third of the minimum wage. Üstel added that they aimed to reduce VAT to zero on basic food products for children aged between 0 and 12.

“WE WILL TURN THE TRNC INTO A DIGITAL ISLAND”

Referring to investments in technology and infrastructure, Üstel announced that they aimed to extend fibre-optic infrastructure to all homes and workplaces.

“We will turn this place into a digital island,” Üstel said, adding that they were working on tax exemptions to attract software developers to the TRNC and aimed to make the country a technology hub.

“I WILL ANNOUNCE A NEW PROJECT ON NOVEMBER 7 THAT WILL REACH EVERY HOUSEHOLD”

Üstel announced that 50 parliamentary candidates, 18 mayoral candidates and candidates for municipal council seats would be introduced at a candidate presentation event to be held at the Atatürk Sports Hall on Saturday, November 7.

Stating that he would also announce a new project at the event, Üstel said: “I will announce a project that concerns the entire country, will resonate with every household and directly touch the lives of our people.”

“We do not try to get through the day with fancy words; we make a difference in people's lives through concrete projects. We have the team, the determination and the ability to find the resources needed to implement these projects. We make promises, and we deliver,” Üstel said.

Reiterating his belief that UBP would emerge as the largest party in the December 6 elections, Üstel called on voters to support the party for a new five-year term.