Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has reiterated his controversial proposal for the internationally unrecognized, breakaway entity, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to join Turkey as its 82nd province, calling it a "matter of life and death" during his party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday. The statement comes in the wake of Northern Cyprus's recent presidential election, which saw Tufan Erhürman elected as the territory's sixth president.
According to Kıbrıs Postası, Bahçeli expressed dissatisfaction with the election's 62 percent voter turnout, describing it as insufficient. The MHP chairman suggested that despite the official announcement of results by the Election Board, the outcome should not be accepted, and Northern Cyprus should instead make a decision to join the Turkish Republic.
"The participation rate was realized at 62 percent. Mr. Tufan Erhürman has been elected as the new president. The participation is very low. Northern Cyprus should make a decision to join the Republic of Turkey," Bahçeli stated during the meeting, while noting that outgoing president Ersin Tatar, who has rendered services to the TRNC, unfortunately fell behind in the democratic race.
The nationalist leader emphasized that Cyprus represents a core national cause for Turkey, declaring that "Cyprus is Turkish and will always remain Turkish." He categorically rejected any federation proposals for resolving the island's long-standing division, stating that such suggestions have "absolutely no validity or future."
"Our politics is undoubtedly founded on truth. Wherever truth is, that's where we are," Bahçeli proclaimed. "We will never compromise on truth, regardless of whether others take offense or feel uncomfortable. Cyprus is Turkey's ancestral homeland, the sweat of our forebears, the light of their eyes, and the land of memory and heritage."
Repeating his earlier statement from October 3rd, Bahçeli insisted that circumstances now make it imperative for the TRNC to become Turkey's 82nd province, following Düzce, which became the 81st province in 1999. "This is now a matter of life and death," he emphasized. "This is a matter of homeland. This is a matter of survival. This is a matter of security."
The MHP leader's remarks underscore his party's hardline nationalist stance on the Cyprus issue and represent a significant departure from the internationally recognized framework for resolving the decades-old conflict. The island has been divided since 1974, when Turkey intervened militarily following a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at unification with Greece.
Bahçeli stressed that the security and future of Cyprus are inextricably linked to Turkey's own security and future, stating that "the security and future of the TRNC is one and the same with the security and future of the Republic of Turkey."
The proposal, while resonating with nationalist sentiment in Turkey, is likely to complicate already stalled reunification talks and draw international criticism, as the TRNC is recognized only by Turkey. The statement also raises questions about Turkey's official position on Cyprus at a time when the newly elected president in Northern Cyprus will be charting the territory's future course.