The “Republican Turkish Party (CTP) government,” presented to us as a beacon of hope against the policies of the appointed UBP-DP-YDP government—associated with corruption, cronyism, environmental destruction, bribery, and favoritism— has turned a deaf ear to all the criticism and calls made over the past few days regarding its “approval of the giveaway of forest land to Istanbul Technical University (ITU).”
The issue, which has dominated headlines, been debated on social media, and prompted statements and calls from numerous organizations, was ignored and dismissed by CTP.
When 62 organizations—many of them aligned with CTP—issued a joint statement condemning the decision just a few days ago, CTP backtracked two hours later.
“We need to reconsider this decision; we will vote ‘no’ in the next vote,” they said.
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Do those who said the exact same things before the 62 organizations have no significance?
Among those who raised criticims were respected constitutional lawyers, urban planners, and researchers… They all said the same thing, yet it held no meaning for CTP—did CTP only change course once the 62 organizations issued a joint statement?
I highly doubt it…
After all, the legal process regarding this matter—which has been going on since 2022, involving lawsuits against the government, and even a case where the Prosecutor’s Office failed to provide a defense—was led by Feriha Tel, who was the President of the Green Peace Movement at the time and is currently a member of CTP’s Executive Committee.
She made statements in court, shouting that this was a giveaway.
In other words, CTP undermined the legal process led by its own Executive Committee member by casting a “yes” vote in Parliament. It was, in a sense, CTP turning against itself.
So, was it possible for CTP not to know the scale of the giveaway, the size of the land, and the public backlash against it?
Despite this, it voted “yes” to the elimination of the legal basis for that case…
This was also an intervention in the rule of law.
So if the Legislature can anticipate potential rulings by the Courts, amend the relevant law, and thereby come in the way of unwanted legal outcomes—where does that leave judicial independence?
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CTP’s backtracking—and its statement at yesterday’s General Assembly that they “will say no”—was also symbolic. A true act “for the sake of appearances” unfolded in Parliament.
CTP said, “Please reconsider the decision,” the government replied, “This is your project; our decision stands,” a vote was taken, hands went up, and “yes” was declared.
Then CTP moved on to other items on the agenda and made statements. Not a single objection, not a single reaction.
The matter was closed; the General Assembly adjourned.
Was that it, then?
Yes, that was it.
In the official records, CTP is noted as having said “no.”
And without any self-criticism, without saying “We were wrong,” and without explaining the motivation behind saying “yes.”
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To briefly recap, this process, which spans nearly 20 years, began in 2008—during the CTP-ÖRP Government led by Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer.
CTP, which today claims, “We invited ITU to the island,” had also stated at the time that this was part of a “CTP vision” and had signed a protocol with ITU.
Land was then allocated. However, over the past 18 years, ITU has not driven a single nail into the ground, brought a single student to the country, or created any added value in either the economy, or education. Yet, it has already fenced off the forest land and installed iron gates and locks.
Özgür Gazete also identified and documented numerous buildings within Famagusta that have been handed over to ITU. (Click HERE to watch the video of the story)
The area belonging to the Department of Highways, which contains many historic buildings, includes the former Land Registry Office—another historic building—as well as a building that sustained severe damage in a fire during the previous period, and more…
ITU is doing nothing. It keeps receiving buildings and land, yet it doesn’t take a single step.
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(By now, everyone knows that foundations related to education in Turkey are managed by Bilal Erdoğan, the son of Erdoğan. Let’s set that information aside for now)
Of course, these universities—which are state/foundation universities in Turkey—operate like private universities in our country. For example, the Middle Eastern Technical University (METU) in Kalkanlı is the same.
Tuition fees are paid here just like at private universities. In other words, they’re making good money. When METU was established, the property issue had already been resolved. Compensation was paid to the Greek Cypriot owners of the lands upon which METU was built, and the lands were “Turkified.”
In this way, Turkey controls tens of thousands of acres of land through state universities.
The same logic applies to the lands intended for ITU. Out of a total of 6,000 acres—3,500 of which are forested—500 acres were expropriated after compensation was paid. If there are any Greek Cypriot properties within these lands, they can be “Turkified” just as was done at METU.
So consider this: even if peace were to come to this country tomorrow, Turkish troops were to withdraw from the island, and a federal Cyprus were to be established—the most strategic, most beautiful, and most fertile lands in the north would remain in the hands and under the control of Turkish institutions and AKP elites. In other words, they would effectively never have left.
This is why the plundering and looting are being accelerated to such an extent. The more land is “Turkified,” the more control is gained.
The airport, internet infrastructure, seaports, water resources, thousands of acres of forest land granted to AKP-linked capital groups, coastal areas, and more…
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If citizens can foresee this, why can’t the opposition? You can’t convince anyone of that. After all, CTP’s track record on these issues is pretty concerning.
The Settlement, Land Distribution and Equivalent Property (ITEM) Law, the Immigration Law, and the opening of the Theology College can be cited as examples.
There’s that saying about CTP: “CTP doesn’t make small mistakes; it makes big ones”—and that’s exactly it…
That’s exactly why CTP is pushing society toward even greater despair. The Turkish Cypriot community, besieged from all sides, is being silenced into the belief that it has no other options.
While the “CTP government” is presented as salvation and the “path to peace,” it reveals in many areas that “orange and green have become intertwined.” [Editor’s note: orange represents UBP, the current party in government, and green represents CTP, the current party in opposition.]
Personally, I’m not sure if I want a CTP government on its own.
Despite claiming, “We are open to criticism,” a party that turns a deaf ear to all criticism and calls, and accuses every critic of “hostility toward CTP,” fills me with dread at the thought of it governing alone.
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I know coalitions aren’t very popular; they’re difficult. Yet, I’m among those who believe that, when well-managed, they can offer a governance model with higher representativeness and greater inclusivity.
If we consider that in a coalition where checks and balances can be established, social consensus on issues of vital concern to the entire society could be more realistic and meaningful, it could be a more snesible model than governance by a single political party.
That is why, in the upcoming elections, having multiple parties representing different segments of society both in the Parliament and in the government is vital for all of us.
This article was originally published on 25.03.2026
