Former Turkish Cypriot leader protests Erdoğan's plans for new presidential complex

Former Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı has protested Erdoğan's plans to construct a new presidential complex in the breakaway state, by saying that it is not "the splendor of buildings" that determines a government's prestige, but rather "democracy, freedoms, human rights, law, respect to justice and comfort level of citizens."

Wednesday July 21 2021 03:55 pm

Former Turkish Cypriot President Akıncı is seen in this file photo.

Duvar English

Former Turkish Cyprus President Mustafa Akıncı has protested Turkey's plans to construct a new presidential complex in the breakaway state, by saying that a government's prestige is not measured by the "splendor of buildings."

Akıncı's comments came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on July 19 said that the construction of a new government complex would symbolize the state of Turkish Cyprus.

Erdoğan also said that the current presidential complex from 1934 was an "English slum," which Akıncı protested by saying that it still remains standing thanks to its strong foundation.

Akıncı said that although constructed much later in 1989, the second presidential building had to be torn down in 2018 due to its "unsafe" condition.

"As for the prestige of governments, it is not measured by the splendor of buildings but through democracy, freedoms, human rights, law, respect to justice and the comfort level of citizens," Akıncı said in a Facebook post on July 20.

Erdoğan had said that he wanted to "get rid of" the current parliament building in Turkish Cyprus and wanted to instead build a "gorgeous, glamorous parliament building."