Bahçeli Calls for ‘82nd Province to Be TRNC’ After Opposition Victory in Cyprus
bahceli-kibris
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli reacts to Tufan Erhürman’s election win in Northern Cyprus by urging full integration with Turkey, declaring that “after 81 Düzce, the 82nd must be the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” In other words, the nationalist leader wants to annex TRNC, which would be even less acceptable to the international community than the run-away Turkish state in Cyprus.
“82 Should Be the TRNC”: Bahçeli’s Post-Election Statement
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli has reignited debate over Cyprus after the opposition’s victory in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Following Tufan Erhürman’s win in the recent elections, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated the new Cypriot leader and vowed to continue defending “the sovereignty and interests of the TRNC.”
However, Bahçeli — Erdoğan’s ally and coalition partner in the People’s Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı) — struck a much sharper tone.
In his parliamentary group address, he declared:
“The proposal for a federation in Cyprus is invalid. Cyprus must decide to join the Republic of Turkey. Cyprus is Turkish and will remain so forever. Everyone should act accordingly.”
“After 81 Düzce, 82 Must Be TRNC”
Bahçeli’s most striking remark was his call for the TRNC to become Turkey’s 82nd province, a phrase that quickly went viral on social media:
“After 81 Düzce, 82 being the TRNC has now become a matter of life and death.”
The MHP leader criticized what he called “mandate sympathizers” attacking him and his party, saying:
“Those who ask ‘Why do you care about Cyprus’s elections?’ should look in the mirror. We are the nationalist voice of the state.”
On Gaza: “Permanent Ceasefire and Two-State Solution Needed”
Bahçeli also addressed the renewed ceasefire in Gaza, warning that “a group still remains intent on conflict.”
He called for a permanent ceasefire and immediate implementation of a two-state solution, describing Israel as “a weapon aimed at the global media.”
“How one-sided disarmament will function remains a mystery,” he added.
“CHP Is Blind to the Nation”
Turning his attention to domestic politics, Bahçeli criticized the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP):
“The CHP is blind to the nation and squints at our history. Its insistence in the Netherlands is incomprehensible.”
“A Terror-Free Turkey Cannot Be Undermined”
Bahçeli reiterated his party’s support for ongoing anti-terror operations, accusing “certain groups” of trying to sabotage the ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ process:
“This process is not a shelter for a collapsing Turkey. A conspiracy mechanism is in motion. Any attempt to distort or impose will fail. Creating a de facto situation benefits no one.”
He added that “challenging the state means heading straight toward the abyss,” and concluded cryptically:
“İmralı has kept its word.”
