The European Parliament elections are the only electoral process in the Republic of Cyprus that allows both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to participate on a common ballot.
For the first time since Cyprus’ accession to the EU in 2004, three Turkish Cypriots are running as candidates under the umbrella of three different Greek Cypriot political forces.
This development, which holds political and electoral significance, suggests that the participation of more Turkish Cypriots in the polls on June 9th could play a role not only in the party percentages but potentially even in determining the lead.
Niyazi Kızılyurek is vying for election with AKEL, and following his successful presence five years ago, two other parties – though with different approaches – have followed suit this year: the Green Party with Oz Karahan and the newly established Volt party with Hulusi Kilim, including a Turkish Cypriot on their European ballot.
When asked by Phileleftheros to comment on the situation, Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Nicosia, Yiannos Katsourides, noted that it’s important to remember that this isn’t the first time Turkish Cypriots have participated as candidates in European elections, as they have done so in 2004, 2014, and 2019.
He argued that Niyazi Kizilyurek’s candidacy marks a departure from past practice as it’s the first time a Turkish Cypriot is running under a Greek Cypriot party.
“In the upcoming 2024 elections, it seems we will have three Turkish Cypriot candidates representing three different Greek Cypriot political parties. This participation is certainly noteworthy and significant, as it signifies the acceptance by a segment of the Turkish Cypriot community of seeking political representation within the framework and mechanisms provided by the Republic of Cyprus, as an EU member state,” he further added.
He also supported that “to some extent, it symbolizes a unifying perspective, facilitated both by the fact that the Republic of Cyprus joined the EU in its entirety in 2004 and by the perception that European elections are different from national ones,” adding that “hence, the participation of Turkish Cypriot candidates should not be a priori considered as recognition of the structures of the Republic of Cyprus by themselves, due precisely to these unique aspects of European elections.”
He further pointed out that “possibly, there’s an element of an attempt for more autonomous representation of the Turkish Cypriot community, even if it occurs within the framework of a Greek Cypriot party, given that after the election, a Member of the European Parliament has increased scope for pursuing a more personal political agenda.”
When asked if he believes that the presence of more Turkish Cypriot candidates will also affect the turnout of Turkish Cypriot voters at the polls, Katsourides commented that “it will likely lead to greater participation by Turkish Cypriot voters. After all, in 2019, 5,804 voted compared to 1,856 in 2014.”
He added that “the vast majority of those who voted in 2014 chose Niyazi Kizilyurek and AKEL (4,076), giving the party a percentage close to 1.5%, a fact that alone indicates that the numerical participation of Turkish Cypriots is not only politically significant concerning the Cyprus issue but also electorally, as it could potentially determine the final percentages of parties hosting Turkish Cypriot candidates, even the lead, if AKEL and DISY are indeed close in their performance.”
“Let’s not forget that the polls conducted do not include Turkish Cypriots, so we don’t have a picture regarding the impact of their potential participation,” he further emphasized.
He noted that “it’s also good to remember that based on the overall turnout in 2019, 1% of the electoral body corresponded to about 2,800 votes,” explaining that “this means that if the participation of Turkish Cypriots increases significantly compared to 2019 and has a similar party behaviour, i.e., a vote for AKEL, it will significantly favour this party in the final outcome. Therefore, due to the high electoral threshold, the increased participation of Turkish Cypriots is likely to have a significant impact on the result, primarily concerning the lead, but will probably be less decisive regarding the acquisition of a seat by one of the other two party formations, which include a Turkish Cypriot candidate.”
When called upon by Phileleftheros to comment on the inclusion of a Turkish Cypriot in their European election ballot, the three parties gave their interpretations for their decisions.
When asked to comment on the inclusion of Turkish Cypriot academic Niyazi Kizilyurek on the party’s ballot, AKEL’s spokesperson, Giorgos Koukoumas, stated, “It is absolutely normal that a Turkish Cypriot compatriot participates in AKEL’s ballot based on common principles and goals.”
He noted that “ideologically and historically, AKEL and the Left are the forces that fight for unity and cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in the struggle for the freedom and independence of our common homeland, as well as in the claims of workers for their rights.”
He further emphasized that “in 2019, AKEL took a historic step by including a Turkish Cypriot, Niyazi Kizilyurek, in our ballot,” and argued that “it is no coincidence that this development upset nationalists on both sides, while it was welcomed by every Cypriot who believes in reunification and peace.”
He also stated that “the opportunity provided by the European elections for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to vote together is a golden opportunity to send a common and loud message against partition, the occupation status quo, and chauvinism, a message in favor of a solution based on an agreed framework, in favor of the reunification of our homeland and our people.”
He concluded that “AKEL aims to be the voice of all of Cyprus and all Cypriots in the European Parliament, which is reflected in all our actions and initiatives at the European level.”
On behalf of the Green Party, Giorgos Perdikes mentioned that they chose Turkish Cypriot candidate Oz Karahan because of shared positions and views, with whom they fight for a unified state, with sovereignty, agreeing on the withdrawal of Turkish troops and the abolition of the outdated system of guarantees.
He further explained that the choice of Oz Karahan is not random, as he is a political disciple of Sener Levent, a successor to him, and advocates the same ideals, principles, and values, while arguing that this paves the way for cooperation with Turkish Cypriots who share the same dreams and views.
From Volt’s side, the co-president of the party, Panos Parris, told Phileleftheros that “Volt is a genuinely bicommunal party and has many members from the Turkish Cypriot community. Therefore, the inclusion of a Turkish Cypriot in our ballot is not opportunistic, nor is it a product of tokenism,” noting that “in fact, our candidate is not just a member of ours but the General Secretary of the party.”
He emphasized that he is the first Turkish Cypriot to take on a role in the leadership of a party founded in the Republic of Cyprus after the Turkish invasion.
He further highlighted that “the most important message we send is that the solution to the Cyprus problem will not come overnight, nor can anyone impose it on us unless we manage to find a way to cooperate with each other, at least initially on issues concerning both communities.”
“The only way for one side to understand the concerns of the other and to plan a common future together is through cooperation. A party like Volt, which advocates for a united Europe, cannot fail to actively support efforts to achieve a united Cyprus,” he concluded.
