Political activist Oz Karahan has announced his candidacy for the vice presidency of the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation party.
In his candidacy statement, Karahan highlighted the ongoing issues facing Cyprus, including what he described as the visible impact of Turkish occupation in the north of the island.
“As Cypriots, wherever we turn, we see both the flag of the Turkish occupiers on Pentadaktylos as well as a political elite that seems sworn to dissolve our state and our democracy,” Karahan stated.
“We are under blockade. Corruption, environmental destruction, a youth population that sees no future in its homeland, the violation of the rule of law, settlement, and demographic alteration—all these issues stem from the status quo imposed by two factors that block us: Turkey and the successive governments of our country”.
Karahan expressed gratitude for his current role within the Green Movement, stating: “I am grateful to walk this path with the Green Movement – Citizens Cooperation, where I found many people who truly care about this country and who oppose the status quo that threatens our very existence in our homeland”.
He added that it was an honour to stand as a candidate for the party’s vice presidency, “hoping to continue this struggle together and break the suffocating blockade that is choking us”.
Karahan currently serves as the president of the Union of Cypriots and coordinates the Committee for the Unity of Cypriots within the Green Movement.
His political activism began at a young age when he engaged with groups that now form the Union of Cypriots, which became active during the 2011 wave of protests in northern Cyprus against Turkey.
Following studies at the Anglo-American University in the Czech Republic, Karahan completed his education in Global Politics and Conflict Analysis at the United Nations University for Peace. He also studied Communication for Development at Malmö University.
Karahan contributes to the Avrupa newspaper (formerly “Afrika,” owned by Sener Levent) and Cumhuriyetçi, both published in Cyprus.
He has participated in numerous events organised by progressive organisations, raising awareness about the Cyprus issue as a problem of invasion and occupation.
At the 7th International Assembly of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS), he was elected to the International Coordinating Committee and as Vice President of the organisation in Europe.
In the 2019 European elections, Karahan participated on the independent list of the Jasmine Movement alongside Sener Levent. In 2024, he was a candidate on the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation electoral list.
