Paphos municipality has decided to put on hold plans to rename Kemal Ataturk street, highlighting the complexities surrounding this controversial issue.
- Paphos municipality has decided to put on hold plans to rename Kemal Ataturk street, highlighting the complexities surrounding this controversial issue.
- Once a name is approved by the council, it is sent to the interior ministry. The official change becomes law only when the cabinet issues a decree published in the government gazette.
The street, located in the Mouttalos neighbourhood, has historical significance as it was once inhabited by Turkish Cypriots prior to the 1974 Turkish invasion. Initially, the municipality voted to change the name, which pays homage to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey and its first president.
Despite the council’s earlier decision in May to rename the street, no action has been taken. Reports indicate that the municipality is attempting to shift responsibility to the interior ministry. However, the ministry has stated that it has not received any formal requests regarding this matter, reiterating that the authority for naming and renaming streets lies with municipal officials.
Further complicating the situation, a municipal councillor from the Disy party recently shared a video on social media proposing the street be renamed after Michalis Kapetanidis. It is essential to note that this suggestion is a personal opinion and not an official motion presented to the council.
This issue traces back to 2021 when members of the Edek party first called for the street’s renaming. At that time, the then-president Nicos Anastasiades reached out to the mayor of Paphos, urging caution over potential repercussions for the ongoing Cyprus negotiations.
In a subsequent move, a Disy councillor formally requested the name change, leading the municipality to agree without seeking guidance from the government. Currently, one of the reasons for the delay in implementing the name change is administrative; Paphos municipality is in the process of establishing a new framework for the naming and renaming of streets and squares. This new regulation must be approved before any decisions can be acted upon.
At present, Paphos does not possess a formal regulations manual for naming streets and squares. Typically, names and street numbers can be proposed by either municipal council members or local residents, followed by a council vote. In cases deemed controversial, the mayor may opt for a local referendum.
Once a name is approved by the council, it is sent to the interior ministry. The official change becomes law only when the cabinet issues a decree published in the government gazette.
