The deadlock between the authorities and Turkish-Cypriot farmers continued on Monday and Tuesday. The morning began with what has become a âroutine defectâ at the entrance gate of the government office, where, for the second time, the gate was torn from its hinges.
On Monday, the farmersâ unions were joined by unions from other sectors of the Turkish-Cypriot society. The leader of the Turkish civil servantsâ union warned Prime Minister Unal Ustel that he would âmake you suffer exactly what you are doing to us.â Another union leader called Mondayâs protest âjust the beginning.â
Air traffic controllers at Nicosia airport said they also planned to strike in solidarity with the farmers, but as usual, the authorities issued a decree Monday morning to stop the strike.
During the day, several politicians from the opposition party CTP arrived at the protest, with party leader and former Prime Minister Tufan Erhurman entering the prime ministerâs office in an attempt to mediate.
Instead of agreeing to meet with union representatives in his office, Ustel offered to meet them in the parliamentary building, far from where the demonstrators had gathered.
âIf they donât take a step back with their meat import policy, we will accept nothing. This is our top priority. They need to take this seriously now. If they donât meet us, these protests will continue. These issues cannot be resolved without consultation,â said a union leader.
He also said the northern police chief had told him that arrests would take place if demonstrators continue to break gates at government buildings.
The Turkish-Cypriot administration announced a decision to begin importing meat from the Netherlands on May 17, aiming to lower consumer prices. However, livestock farmers and butchers believe this actually undermines their livelihood. The authorities say there will be âno step back,â while protesters say they will only end their demonstrations if the import of Dutch meat is canceled.