Talip Atalay, who is a candidate for the leadership of the north’s ruling coalition party the YDP, promised on Monday evening to not collapse the ‘government’ should he become party leader.
Speaking to Kibris before officially submitting his candidacy to the party, he said “we are determined to work with Turkey and maintain stability in the government.
“This current government is the most stable government in the last 10 years. Why would we destroy this government? The stability must continue,” he said.
Atalay is set to go up against current party leader Erhan Arikli in Saturday’s leadership election.
Speaking on the matter of party unity and Arikli, he said “I want us to be together, including Erhan Arikli and those who voted for him. Whether or not Erhan Arikli leaves the party, I will stay.”
He also argued that Arikli’s statements during the campaign had been aimed at dividing the party after a fierce war of words had erupted between the two in recent weeks.
“No one wants their party to shrink … Our party members must be saved from their fear of elections. Erhan wants leadership by appointment and to go it alone. His aim is to feed the idea of not having a certain opponent,” he said.
