Ustel rules out north cabinet reshuffle after surviving leadership challenge
The north’s ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel on Monday dismissed any immediate plans for a cabinet reshuffle following his victory in the internal leadership challenge at his party, the UBP (National Unity Party), over the weekend.
Speaking to newspaper Kibris, he said, “I have no plans for any changes in cabinet. Everyone should mind their own business. Our people expect us to serve them.”
He added that “political gossip is very popular in Cyprus”, cabinet positions “are not permanent for anyone, not even me.”
Ustel won 65.8 per cent of the vote at the UBP’s conference, defeating his challenger, backbench ‘MP’ Hasan Tacoy, who garnered 33 per cent. He broke down in tears when the results were announced and thanked his party’s members in his victory speech, promising to remain in power until 2027.
Üstel initially took office in May 2022 after his predecessor, Faiz Sucuoglu, struggled to form a governing coalition. With this weekend’s victory, Ustel, who is already the fifth-longest-serving ‘prime minister’ in the north’s history, is now safe from internal party challenges until after the next scheduled ‘parliamentary’ elections in February 2027.
If he remains in office until then, he will become the second-longest-serving ‘prime minister’ in the north’s history, trailing only Dervish Eroglu.
Ustel will need the continued support of his coalition partners, the DP (Democratic Party) and the YDP (Rebirth Party), to maintain his position. Both party leaders expressed their backing after his victory was confirmed.
DP leader Fikri Ataoglu said, “I have full confidence that the projects carried out in harmony by our government as a coalition partner will progress even more strongly”, adding.” YDP leader Erhan Arikli concurred, describing Ustel as a “true leader”, and added, “when it comes to the interests of the country, we will easily join hands.”