Grey Wolves leader Devlet Bahçeli has once again provoked controversy with his statements calling for the annexation of occupied Cyprus to Turkey. The inflammatory declaration by Erdogan’s ally comes as a response to recent election results in the breakaway territory.
Bahçeli challenges election results in occupied territories
Following the defeat of the candidate supported by Ersin Tatar, Bahçeli proceeded to openly question the electoral process. The extreme nationalist Turkish politician argues that low voter turnout in the elections does not represent the will of Turkish Cypriots.
This stance constitutes direct interference in the internal affairs of the breakaway territory and undermines the legitimacy of the new leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.
Call for integration into the Turkish Republic
Bahçeli called on the so-called parliament of the occupied territories to reject the election results and proceed with full integration into Turkey. Specifically, he stated: “The election results conducted in the TRNC were held with very low turnout. The fate of Turkish Cypriots cannot be represented by this turnout. The TRNC parliament must be convened urgently and decide on its integration into the Turkish Republic.”
Bahçeli’s proposal blatantly violates international law and United Nations resolutions on Cyprus. The annexation of occupied territories would constitute a new escalation of Turkish aggression in the Cyprus issue.
International agreements and European law recognize the Republic of Cyprus as the only legitimate state entity on the island. This statement recalls the darkest periods of Turkish policy in the region. The inflammatory declaration is expected to provoke strong reactions from the European Union and the international community. Cyprus, as an EU member, has the full support of European institutions on the Cyprus question.
