Failed parliament session in northern Cyprus over public security concerns

An extraordinary plenary session of the 'parliament' in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus, requested by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) to discuss public security, failed to convene on August 16, 2026, due to a lack of quorum. Deputies from the ruling coalition parties—UBP, DP, and YDP—refused to attend, leaving only CTP members and two independent deputies, Jale Refik Rogers and Aysegül Baybars, in the chamber. Erkut Sahali, a spokesperson for the CTP, condemned the boycott, accusing the government of using security as a political tool.

Following the failed session, CTP announced an 8-point action plan. Prime Minister Unal Ustel, representing the UBP, dismissed the CTP's move as a publicity stunt designed to manufacture a security crisis during the peak tourism season. Ustel claimed that crime rates have not increased and argued that such political discourse damages the economy. Meanwhile, YDP leader Erhan Arikli characterized the CTP's request as populism, maintaining that the region remains one of the safest places in the world. The CTP has signaled that it will hold a press conference to further address its security concerns.