Font size:
Print
Serdar Denktaş, the son of the founder of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktaş, has stepped down as leader of the opposition Democratic Party (DP).
It paved the way for former TRNC Tourism Minister Fikri Ataoğlu to take over. Mr Ataoğlu’s candidacy as party president was unopposed.
The change of leadership took place at the party’s annual congress, held at the Lefkoşa Atatürk Arena, on Saturday afternoon.
Among those present were DP Founding President Mustafa Adaoğlu, former TRNC Speaker of Parliament and a former DP President Hakkı Atun, and DP General Secretary Afet Özcafer.
DP was formed in 1992, after key members split from the right wing National Unity Party (UBP), then led by Derviş Eroğlu. DP’s politics has remained centre right.
Serdar Denktaş became DP leader in 1996, taking the party into coalition government nine times, most recently between February 2018 and May 2019 when DP formed part of a four-way coalition under the premiership of Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman.
He has been active at pivotal moments in TRNC history, including when the border between North and South Cyprus opened in April 2003, and opting to remain neutral during the UN-backed Annan Plan referendum of April 2004 to unite the island, even though his father President Denktaş vehemently opposed it.
In recent years, Mr Denktaş has been accused of misusing his power for personal gain, which he has strongly denied. He expressly referred to this in his final speech as leader on Saturday.
“Today there are people waiting for me to announce my [TRNC] presidential candidacy. But I'm not ready to do that. I have two options. First, for the next five years, I can remain without an official position, mixing with the public while I clean my name of the slanders thrown at me. The other option is to become an independent candidate and to take the Presidency in the second round. Both options are difficult and arduous. I will make this decision in a short time and share with you.”
