Rahvancıoğlu: Erhürman Must Clarify His Stance on Theology College Protocol

Rahvancıoğlu stressed that, like the Coordination Office agreement, the protocol carries the nature of an international agreement. He recalled that although the Coordination Office agreement was previously approved by the Assembly, then-President Mustafa Akıncı sent it to the Constitutional Court, which annulled it as unconstitutional. He suggested that the same approach could apply to the current protocol.

Rahvancıoğlu also noted that Erhürman has the option to return the protocol to the Assembly. Should the Assembly reapprove it, the President would then be obliged to sign the agreement. Alternatively, Rahvancıoğlu warned, Erhürman might silently sign it without any public discussion.

He highlighted that for nearly two decades, the Turkish Cypriot community has resisted religious conservatism policies imposed by the AKP-MHP alliance and implemented locally through compliant actors. This resistance, Rahvancıoğlu said, spans debates over Quran courses, the opening of the Hala Sultan Theology College, and attempts to divide the #Reddediyoruz (“We Reject”) movement during the Coordination Office agreement period under the CTP-DP government.

Rejecting the confinement of this resistance to ballot boxes, Rahvancıoğlu argued that political engagement limited to ceremonial receptions at the Presidential Complex is insufficient. He called for strengthening both street-level activism and electoral action, emphasizing that public reaction could transform the powers of the Presidency into a genuine process of emancipation.

Rahvancıoğlu concluded: “Our position is clear. Now it is time for Erhürman to choose his side.”