Political turmoil in the pseudo-state following the decision by “Prime Minister” Ünal Ustel to “dismiss” “Transport Minister” Erhan Arikli.
The Settlers’ Renaissance Party (YPD) announced tonight that it was withdrawing “effective today” from the “government” following the removal of its chairman, Erhan Arikli from the position of “Deputy Minister of Transportation”—a move announced earlier by “Prime Minister” Ünal Ustel—in order to leave room for doubt—as Mr. Ustel put it—regarding the investigation into the causes of Sunday’s shipwreck off the coast of Kyrenia.
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The party’s governing bodies held an emergency meeting late this afternoon, and the decision was announced by Erhan Arikli himself, who stated that it will be communicated in writing to Mr. Ustel tomorrow.
SEE ALSO: Ustel cuts Arikli off: “Whoever is responsible will be held accountable”
Mr. Arikli recalled that earlier this afternoon he had announced that he would submit a request to waive his “parliamentary immunity,” noting that his removal from his “ministerial” duties took place one to one and a half hours after that announcement, and that his “prime minister” told him: “For the sake of the investigation, I must dismiss you from your position.” I thanked him. This was actually an opportunity I’d been waiting for for two years. I thank the prime minister for giving me this opportunity.”
He noted that he had been saying for some time that the “government” should have called for “elections” sooner, and that at times he had come close to resigning due to problems within the “government.” “The prime minister has now given me this opportunity,” he said.
Recalling that 19 people are still missing following the shipwreck off the coast of Kyrenia, Erhan Arikli stated that they do not want to create a political dispute during this process. “There is much to be said, but we have 19 people missing. The people—the relatives of the missing—are waiting anxiously.”
READ ALSO: “I want her body—at least so she can have a grave”: A thriller surrounding the search for the missing from the ill-fated catamaran
Yilmaz to visit the occupied territories tomorrow
Meanwhile, the Gercek website reported in a late-afternoon post that Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and the Commander of the Turkish Navy, Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, will arrive in the occupied territories tomorrow, Thursday.
It is noted that two Turkish Navy search and rescue ships, the TCG Işın and the TCG Alemdar, are assisting in the search operations.
