CTP reacts to Devlet Bahçeli's 'TRNC should be the 82nd province' remark: An attack and disrespect

Following Erhürman's victory in the presidential election in the TRNC, MHP Chairman Bahçeli made a notable statement at his party's group meeting, saying, "The TRNC parliament must convene immediately, declare that a return to a federation is unacceptable, and decide to join the Republic of Turkey.

No power will be able to stand in the way of the right to say 82 Kirkuk, 83 Mosul, right after 81 Düzce.

After 81 Düzce, the 82nd being the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has now become a matter of life and death," he said.

Following Bahçeli's statement, the CTP issued the following statement:

"The Turkish Cypriot people have once again strongly exercised their right to determine their own future in the 2025 presidential elections and have reflected their democratic will at the ballot box.

According to the official election results, CTP Chairman Tufan Erhürman has been elected as the new president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, receiving 62.76 percent of the votes. This result is a clear expression of our people's demand for change, a predictable future, a spirit of brotherhood, a solution, and common sense.

As the Republican Turkish Party, we thank all our citizens who contributed to this process and who went to the polls to express their democratic will. Respecting the will of the people and accepting the message from the ballot box are principles that all segments should value.

It is our common responsibility to maintain our democratic maturity and not to allow statements that would damage the trust and relations of our people. In this context, the expressions by Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, a political party from the Republic of Turkey, regarding the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus becoming Turkey's '82nd province' are completely contrary to the will, political equality, and international legal realities of the Turkish Cypriot people. It is unacceptable.

Such statements are an open attack and disrespect to the Turkish Cypriot people's right to self-determination, their long-standing struggle for self-governance, and their demand to be an equal political subject respected in the international arena.

Any political discourse that devalues the will of the Turkish Cypriot people is not acceptable to us. As the CTP, we invite all segments to act with this awareness and to contribute to both the strengthening of the spirit of social brotherhood and the development of respectful fraternal relations with the Republic of Turkey."

News Source: 12punto