Gündüz: A Wave of Mass Mobilisation Like the Annan Era Is Emerging

“Fear of fundamentalism and religious extremism has the potential to create a similar societal wave,” Gündüz told Kıbrıs Postası in an interview evaluating recent protests against the Disciplinary Regulation, which were organised with the backing of nearly 40 organisations.

Underlying Discontent Beyond the Surface

Gündüz noted that while the headscarf and disciplinary regulation appear to be the immediate causes of the protests, the scale of the response reflects deeper, accumulated grievances.

“For the past 20 years,” he said, “the society has endured numerous cultural shifts it could neither accept nor digest. Unprecedented demographic changes have led to a breakdown that has now turned into chaos. The collapse in the state, politics, economy, culture, and way of life has brought society to the brink.”

A Reawakening Triggered by Fear

Although the Turkish Cypriot community may appear subdued, Gündüz argues that the prospect of living under a dogmatic mindset—coupled with financial insecurity—has the power to awaken public consciousness. “In 2003, the economic situation was the driving force. Today, it is the fear of fundamentalism and religious regression,” he said.

Protests Likely to Escalate

Gündüz predicted that the protests will not only continue but intensify:
“Incidents that provoke further demonstrations will continue. The pressure on this segment of society will increase. We may see arrests, even street clashes. I believe these actions will grow larger.”

Disciplinary Regulation: A Political, Not Legal, Move

He criticised the controversial regulation as a political manoeuvre rather than a legal measure:
“Those who passed it are banking on the idea that it's a done deal—that the outrage will fade. But if even a constitution can be amended, the lowest level of legal regulation can be overturned in a matter of hours.”

The Political Fallout

Gündüz warned that certain political figures are already on their way out—“They simply don’t know it yet,” he said. “Let’s hope that their blindness doesn’t lead them to spark further conflict.”