Cyprus Turkish Assembly Speaker Ziya Öztürkler announced on social media that he has no intention of withdrawing his parliamentary candidacy. "I am a candidate and I have no thought of stepping back. I will continue to fight for the National Unity Party until the end," he said.
The statement came after UBP leader and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel reportedly asked both Öztürkler and fellow MP Emrah Yeşilırmak to withdraw their candidacies. Öztürkler's public declaration signals he intends to remain in the race despite the pressure from party leadership.
