Üstel throws down election challenge

Addressing supporters at the event, held under the slogan “Stronger than yesterday, ready for tomorrow”, the UBP leader declared: “They talk, UBP delivers,” expressing confidence that his party would emerge victorious from both the general and local elections on December 6.

Mr Üstel announced that the party would hold its parliamentary candidate selection vote on October 24 and outlined a target of 15,000 social housing units for the next term.

Urging members to put internal rivalries and grievances behind them, he said the party’s future must take priority over personal ambitions.

“Let us leave our grievances behind. Let us stamp the sun,” he said, referring to the UBP’s emblem on ballot papers.

Mr Üstel said party organisations, women’s and youth branches, mayors and candidates would campaign together, presenting the government’s record alongside its plans for the next term.

Inviting prospective parliamentary candidates to take part in the October 24 vote, he described the process as a “major celebration of democracy”. He also said the party was preparing to contest all 18 municipalities with 18 candidates.

Defending the government’s local administration reforms, Mr Üstel said the merger of municipalities had created 18 councils capable of standing on their own feet financially.

Housing featured prominently in his address, with Mr Üstel arguing that young people needed better opportunities to build their lives in the TRNC. He said the government had revived social housing projects after a 26-year gap and helped people become homeowners through its “My First Home” schemes.

“Emigration cannot be stopped with words. It is stopped with projects and achievements,” he said, criticising his opponents’ approach.

Highlighting the government’s investment programme, Mr Üstel pointed to the opening of the new Ercan Airport, road improvements, new schools and hundreds of additional classrooms.

He also cited the opening of Girne and Güzelyurt state hospitals and four new health centres, alongside continuing work on the Karpaz hospital and the new hospital project in Nicosia. Agricultural support, irrigation projects using water supplied from Türkiye and improvements to Kyrenia’s historic harbour were among the other achievements he listed.

Mr Üstel defended the abolition of mixed voting, arguing that the system had weakened party discipline and that its removal would allow voters’ choices to be reflected more clearly.

Reflecting on the UBP’s foundation in 1975, he said its history was intertwined with the Turkish Cypriot struggle and the establishment of the state.

“UBP is the party of a deeply rooted cause, not of individuals,” he said, pledging to strengthen relations with Türkiye and leave future generations a stronger TRNC.