Denktaş: “I Have Decided to Re-enter Active Politics”

Speaking during a live broadcast on Kanal T, Denktaş said, “I have decided to re-enter active politics. There are various options on the table. My team and I are evaluating them, and we will announce our course of action and which option we’ll pursue.” He added that a formal announcement will be made during the first week of May.

Commenting on the country’s current political climate, Denktaş expressed concern over increasing polarisation, stating, “This push for division is the greatest harm ever done to the TRNC.”

“Headscarf Debate Is Election-Oriented”

Regarding the recent controversy surrounding headscarves, Denktaş criticised the narrative that opposition to a specific regulation implies opposition to headscarves in general. “This country has never been against headscarves. No woman wearing a headscarf has ever been disrespected or hinted at offensively. The issue here is that the debate was sparked through a child and imposed on the public, using religion for political purposes,” he said. Denktaş claimed the controversy was deliberately stirred to create division ahead of the upcoming presidential election. “This is a very dangerous game. Creating such division is the greatest crime against this country.”

“Imam Should Not Only Be Suspended, But Also Expelled”

Referring to İbrahim Damar, the imam of Hamitköy Mosque who sparked outrage with his statements—“Those who oppose headscarves are infidels, I won’t conduct their funeral prayers or recite their funeral calls”—Denktaş said mere suspension from duty is not enough. “He should be removed from the country. His words are unbecoming of a religious leader and have sown discord in our society. As an imam, he misled many people who listen to and trust him,” he stated, emphasising the importance of standing united against those who exploit religion.

Denktaş to Meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Touching on the Cyprus issue, Denktaş warned against externally imposed solutions that exclude both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities. “There is an alternative approach we have been working on called the ‘step-by-step outcome’ plan, which begins with a process of normalisation. Any model imposed on both communities will only set the stage for future conflict, just as it has in the past. The last thing I want for this island is another crisis,” he said.

Denktaş also revealed that he had requested a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and had received a positive response. “The Cyprus issue cannot be resolved without Turkey. We must have ongoing dialogue and information-sharing to protect the interests of both the Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey. That’s why I requested a meeting with Minister Fidan. He was in the country recently, but I was abroad. He has one of the busiest schedules among ministers and is rarely in Turkey, but the meeting will take place soon,” Denktaş said.