Rebirth Party (YDP) leader Erhan Arıklı has said that lasting reforms in the Turkish Cypriot north cannot be achieved without first bringing the budget under control. Speaking on Kıbrıs TV's "Kıbrıs'ta Gündem" programme, hosted by Eda Alisinanoğlu and Uğraş Beratlı, Arıklı discussed the election process, the economy and his party's goals for the coming period.
Arıklı said that although the TRNC has significant economic resources, its public finances are not strong enough. He called for injustices in the tax system to be addressed, the informal economy to be reduced and public spending to be cut.
He argued that substantial savings could be made through changes to items such as student transport and overtime payments, adding that the funds freed up could be channelled into youth employment and investment.
Arıklı said that if his party joins a possible new government, the coalition protocol would be made public and reforms would be tied to a timetable. He stressed that the dates for implementing legislation on public sector reform, public transport, cryptocurrency and gambling should be announced in advance.
The YDP leader also advocated changes to the electoral system, saying a return to the three-district system, a lower electoral threshold and arrangements allowing political alliances would be among his party's conditions for joining a coalition.
