Turkish Cypriots hold protests regarding summer time ruling

A campaign has been launched by 33 organisations, to collect signatures against the continuation of summer time in the TRNC.

Among them is the left-wing opposition political parties including the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Social Democracy Party (TDP), the New Cyprus Party (YKP), the United Cyprus Party (BKP).

The organisations’ representatives met on Monday morning in front of the assembly building protesting that their opinion regarding the issue had been totally ignored and asked for support from the society.

Their protests will continue until October 19.

Last week, the Turkish Council of State suspended the continuation of summer time after a parent, complained to the Council of State about sending her child to school in the dark before sunrise due to the practice of permanent summertime hours.

The applicant requested a stay of execution of the cabinet decision regarding the case, but it was rejected by the 10th department of the court.

The complainant’s lawyer then appealed against the decision and the Council of State reversed the department’s previous ruling, ruling for a stay of execution of the permanent summertime practice.

Before the change was introduced by the Turkish government last year, Turkey had previously acted in accordance with European countries regarding the changing of clocks in summer.

Last year, the TRNC announced it would follow Turkey’s decision regarding the continuation of summer time.

Yeni Duzen, LGC News