A session of the Turkish Cypriot "parliament" ended on Friday after 19 hours without a vote on a controversial bill concerning a fibre-optic cable protocol that unions argue hands power to Turkey over the north's critical infrastructure.
The discussion on the issue is expected to resume next Monday. The statement blamed the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) for the session ending without results.
After the session, CTP leader Sıla Usar İncirli expressed her party’s support for trade unions, which held a protest outside the assembly building. Support was also voiced by the leader of the Communal Justice Party, Zeki Celer.
Speaking to protesters, Ms İncirli accused the ruling coalition of ignoring the people, saying that reactions would continue with a focus on love for the “homeland and the future”.
Mr Celer said the ruling coalition was trying to pass an agreement contrary to the “constitution” and urged citizens not to accept imposed decisions.
During the protest, trade union members voiced their opposition to the bill and said they were ready to continue their demonstrations.