Top political figures in the TRNC have sharply criticised Oktay Saral, Chief Advisor to the President of Türkiye, for his controversial social media comments directed at Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and the Turkish Cypriot people.

The backlash has cut across party lines, with both government and opposition voices condemning the remarks as inappropriate and divisive.

National Unity Party (UBP) Secretary-General Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu described Saral’s statements as “unfortunate and overstepping boundaries.”

He said the accusations directed at Prime Minister Üstel were not only baseless but also a direct insult to the will of the Turkish Cypriot people and their deep-rooted ties with Türkiye.

Emphasising that relations between the TRNC and Türkiye are built on a shared history and struggle, Hasipoğlu warned that such rhetoric ignores decades of unity and sacrifice.

He added that the UBP sees these remarks as not just offensive, but politically shortsighted and diplomatically inappropriate, stressing that the brotherly bond between the two nations cannot be shaken by irresponsible statements.

Opposition leader Tufan Erhürman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) also responded on social media, calling the remarks an example of “arrogance at its peak” from someone unfamiliar with the TRNC’s history and struggle.

He insisted that no one—regardless of position—has the right to insult the Turkish Cypriot people and vowed that such behaviour would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, Zeki Çeler, leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP), echoed the criticism, stating that although they stand on different sides politically, they do not accept the insults aimed at Prime Minister Üstel.