Crisis in TRNC continues: protests, strikes, and negotiations without result

The political crisis in Northern Cyprus continues. Protests and a nationwide strike on April 7 were accompanied by clashes near the parliament building.

In the morning, protesters broke into the grounds of the parliamentary complex. Police used tear gas, and several people were detained, including the head of the EL-SEN union, Ahmet Tugcu. He was later released from custody.

The parliamentary session opened around 09:40, but deputies of the opposition CTP party walked out of the hall.

In the afternoon, President Tufan Erhurman arrived at the protest site and held meetings with union leaders and government representatives. A technical committee was formed to prepare a new proposal, but the unions refused to discuss options for delaying a decision.

Amidst the strikes, the government also temporarily suspended protests at Nalbantoglu Hospital for 60 days, but medical workers stated they do not intend to end the action.

In the evening, Prime Minister Unal Ustel met with President Erhurman, but no statements were made following the meeting. The government's planned visit to Ankara was canceled.

Meanwhile, schools remain closed for the second consecutive day, and unions have declared that protests will continue until a date for early elections is announced. A Constitutional Court hearing regarding the government decree is scheduled for April 9.