This case examines the EU voting rights of Turkish-Cypriots (TCs) in the context of the divided island of Cyprus. The intractable intergroup conflict between Greek-Cypriots (GCs) and TCs, dating back to the island’s independence in 1960, has led to a complex geopolitical situation.
Despite being EU citizens, TCs face challenges in exercising their EU voting rights due to the suspension of EU law in areas not controlled by the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus (RoC). Legislative changes in 2014 aimed to facilitate TCs’ participation in European Parliament (EP) elections, but issues such as anti-EU sentiment, accusations of traitorship, and bureaucratic obstacles persist. The case highlights the 2019 EP elections, where Dr. Niyazi Kizilyurek’s successful election marked a positive shift, emphasizing the potential role of political representation in bridging communities.
Applying a Regulatory Rights Prism, the case underscores the exclusionary context fueled by the enduring culture of conflict and the divergent attitudes within the TC community, offering insights into the complex dynamics at play.
