The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) held a protest today at Famagusta’s Thursday Market, led by CTP Chairman Tufan Erhürman, who sharply criticised the current government. The protest, under the slogan “Enough of Rising Prices, Poverty, and High Costs!”, addressed the economic challenges facing the country.
Erhürman accused the government of poor economic management, stressing that people’s purchasing power is shrinking and the middle class is disappearing. He said that while wages may be increasing in local and foreign currencies, this doesn’t translate to more buying power. He highlighted that the real issue is not just low wages but the failure to protect people’s ability to afford everyday essentials like bread and milk.
Erhürman also criticised the way the minimum wage is set, pointing out that even a significant increase won’t help if it doesn’t boost people’s real purchasing power. He argued that the government’s economic policies are flawed and incapable of managing the economy. According to him, key sectors like construction and tourism are in crisis, and the economy is increasingly reliant on the south of the island.
Erhürman warned that if wages remain low, small businesses will be forced to either raise prices or lay off staff, which would worsen the informal economy. He also mentioned rumours that the minimum wage might be reduced, which would push it below the poverty line.
Concluding his remarks, Erhürman said the government is failing to manage essential services like education and health. He emphasised that neither public nor private school students should face discrimination and called for a change in leadership. He closed by urging people to come together, promising that the CTP is ready to lead the country with experts and find real solutions.
