ctp leadership — Sila Usar Incirli has officially announced her candidacy to lead the north’s largest opposition political party, the centre-left CTP, becoming the first to do so.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
- ctp leadership — Sila Usar Incirli has officially announced her candidacy to lead the north's largest opposition political party, the centre-left CTP, becoming the first to do so.
- This evolving political landscape within the CTP sets the stage for an intriguing contest as candidates prepare to outline their visions for the party's future.
The announcement took place during a party meeting in Nicosia on Tuesday night, marking a significant moment in her political journey. Incirli, who is 52 years old, has been involved in frontline politics since 2018, when she was elected during the ‘parliamentary’ elections held in January that year.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Incirli gained further prominence when she was selected as the CTP’s candidate for the 2022 Turkish Cypriot Nicosia mayoral election. However, she faced a challenging battle as the election was won decisively by Mehmet Harmanci of the rival TDP party.
Ctp leadership: Political Lineage and Experience
As the daughter of Naci Talat Usar, one of the CTP’s founding figures, Incirli carries a legacy that resonates within the party. Her political career, while relatively brief, has been marked by active engagement and a commitment to her party’s principles.
Potential Rivals Emerge
Incirli’s entry into the leadership race is likely to be contested. Two other prominent figures within the party, Erkut Sahali and Asim Akansoy, have also expressed interest in the leadership position.
Erkut Sahali, who has been the party’s secretary-general, recently stated, “I have assumed responsibility in this party for years, and now I am ready to take on even greater responsibility.” Sahali, also 52, has a history of political involvement, having been elected to ‘parliament’ in 2013 and serving as the north’s ‘agriculture minister’ on two occasions.
Akansoy’s Call to Duty
Asim Akansoy, another contender, has made it clear that he is prepared to take on the leadership role, saying, “I do not shirk my duties, I am ready to take on any responsibility.” At 58, Akansoy’s experience includes serving as a private secretary to former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat before transitioning into elected roles, including a stint as the CTP’s secretary-general.
A Transition of Leadership
The CTP has been without a leader since Tufan Erhurman resigned last Thursday to assume the position of Turkish Cypriot leader. Notably, Turkish Cypriot leaders are required to step back from party politics when they take office, creating an opportunity for new leadership within the CTP.
This evolving political landscape within the CTP sets the stage for an intriguing contest as candidates prepare to outline their visions for the party’s future.
