Cyprus Turkish Electricity Workers’ Union El-Sen held an action in front of the Parliament to protest the Public Procurement Amendment Bill, which is being discussed in the General Assembly of the Assembly today.
The police, who took extensive security measures in the region due to the action, put up a barrier in front of the Parliament before the action. General traffic flow from Dereboyu and Ledra Palace route has been stopped.
Activists pushed the barrier set up by the police and opened it to the end of the road. At this stage of the action, the traffic flow from the Kyrenia Gate to the front of the Parliament also stopped.
Türk-Sen President Arslan Bıçaklı, in his speech at the protest, stated that they will continue to protect the institution, which is the property of the society.
EL-SEN Secretary General Ahmet Tuğcu, in his speech, referred to the power cuts experienced today and said, “Police have been waiting for the substations for 3 days. We are here. Mr. Director, explain who is interfering with the system”.
Representatives of some political parties, unions and organizations supported the action.
The main opposition Republican Turkish Party also marched from Kuğulu Park to the front of the Parliament by organizing an action to say ‘no’ to the Public Procurement Law and to protect Kıb-Tek.
Afterwards, the CTP deputies left the session in the Assembly and came before the Assembly to support the protesters.
As the crowd gathered in front of the Parliament, tensions arose between the police and the protesters at the Parliament gate from time to time.
Addressing the activists here, Türk-Sen President Arslan Bıçaklı called on those who stand up for their country and everyone who has a problem for the country to protect the property of the society.
CTP Chairman Tufan Erhürman also criticized the government and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, saying that they have not invested in KIB-TEK until now, did not comply with the power plant protocol signed with EL-SEN in 2019, damaged the institution and had to buy electricity from the South expensively. He claimed that those who quit were sacrificing the institution.
Stating that the struggle against what is wanted to be done will continue both inside and outside, Erhürman stated that the struggle given is the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots to stand on their own feet, honor, self-confidence and existence.
