Populist Party (Northern Cyprus) Explained

The Populist Party (Turkish: Halkçı Parti) was a left-wing political party in Northern Cyprus between 1975 and 1981.

History

The party was established in 1975 by Alper Orhon, and won two seats in the 1976 elections.[1] However, the following year one of its two MPs defected to the Communal Liberation Party. In 1981 it merged into the Democratic People's Party.[1]

Ideology

The party had social democratic principles, and was considered to be a Cypriot version of the Republican People's Party in Turkey.[1] It was critical of the National Unity Party government's handling of economic affairs, particularly the dependence on Turkey for economic development. It supported government-run enterprises and the participation of workers in planning.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Vincent E McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe, Greenwood Press, p122
  2. McHale, p123