Children Take Over Ministerial Seats in North Cyprus

As part of the celebrations for National Sovereignty and Children’s Day on April 23, ministerial seats in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were symbolically handed over to children during a special session of the Council of Ministers.

Seventeen students took part in the symbolic “children’s cabinet,” chaired by Eylül Elçin Altan, principal of Primary School No. 9. The young ministers represented five schools from Nicosia, three from Famagusta, and one school each from Kyrenia, İskele, Lefke, and Güzelyurt.

All TRNC ministers were present for the event. Before taking their seats, the students presented flowers to Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, who welcomed them warmly and gave them commemorative gifts. The Prime Minister remarked that on this special day, “we are entrusting our seats to the ministers of tomorrow.”

Çınar Ege Özsayım, a student from Karakol Primary School who took the Prime Minister’s seat and led the children's session, reminded everyone that April 23 marks the 105th anniversary of National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, a holiday dedicated to children by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

During the meeting, the young ministers shared their thoughts and ideas on a range of issues including the economy, healthcare, tourism, agriculture, employment, and education.

After the cabinet session, the student delegation also visited the Republic’s Assembly, where they got a glimpse into the workings of the legislative body. Parliamentary Speaker Ziya Öztürkler symbolically handed over his role to Çınar Güngör, a student from Dipkarpaz Primary School.

A reminder: On April 23, North Cyprus will mark National Sovereignty and Children’s Day with official ceremonies, exhibitions, contests, and festivals.