CTP Secretary General Mehmet Kale Kişi: Our goal is a strong five-year CTP government

Mehmet Kale Kişi, General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) in Northern Cyprus, said allegations of corruption and irregularity have caused serious unease in society and shown a strong will for change. Speaking on the BRT programme Açık Konuşalım, hosted by Levent Kutay and Baykan Gürses, he said the party is preparing for elections with the goal of a stable five-year government.

Kişi said the CTP plans to set up an independent Anti-Corruption Authority that would oversee current and future governments, converting the Prime Ministry Inspection Board into this body within about 1.5 years. On public finances, he said the party has a debt repayment plan and aims to raise revenues by fighting the informal economy, supporting small and medium-sized businesses and lowering input costs through energy steps.

Responding to claims that public salaries could not be paid after a change of government, Kişi said no salary problem had occurred in any past government change and none would occur now. He said: “Our goal is a strong five-year CTP government,” adding that the party would not be part of any government model that prevents it from holding others to account.