Denktash calls Eroglu to form coalition

TURKISH Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash yesterday asked the head of a party opposed to Cyprus reunification to try to build a new ‘government’ following the resignation of pro-settlement ‘Prime Minister’ Mehmet Ali Talat.

Talat’s coalition, which quit on Wednesday, lost its parliamentary majority in April, two days after Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of the Annan plan.

Denktash, who himself opposed the UN plan, asked Dervis Eroglu, head of the National Unity Party (UBP), the largest group in ‘parliament’, to form a new coalition, but diplomats said it was far from clear he would succeed.

The resignation of Talat’s administration appeared to be a bid to force fresh elections that could strengthen its hand in any future talks with the Greek Cypriots. Talat’s aides say an election is likely by January.

Eroglu, who has twice before served as ‘prime minister’ of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north, has 15 days to try to form a ‘government’. If he fails, Denktash is expected to go back to Talat.

“We will seek a broad-based government… We will start discussions tomorrow,” the UBP’s Huseyin Ozgurdun said.

The UBP has 19 seats in the 50-seat assembly and could team up with several smaller parties to achieve a majority.

Diplomats said the political uncertainty in the enclave, which is only recognised by Turkey, was unlikely to affect Ankara’s drive to start entry talks with the European Union. EU leaders decide in December whether to open talks.

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