Üstel unveils 10-point youth support package

Speaking at the National Unity Party (UBP) “Young Future Gathering” on Tuesday, Mr Üstel said the measures aimed to ease financial pressures on young people and their families and help prevent emigration.

The UBP leader said implementation would begin after the election, once the necessary preparations had been completed, with some measures targeted for 2027.

Under the proposed “My First Car” scheme, people aged 18 to 25 would receive a one-off VAT exemption when buying a vehicle with an engine capacity of 1,600cc or below. Interest support would also be available on three-year loans for purchases of registered second-hand vehicles.

Young people aged 16 to 24 would qualify for one-off VAT exemptions on computers and tablets, as well as their first smartphone. Students would also be offered free internet packages.

On housing, Mr Üstel pledged to build 5,000 homes for young people over the next five years, with purchase terms designed around their financial circumstances.

An “Ev-Yap” home-building loan scheme would offer low-interest, long-term finance to people who own plots allocated under the rural land scheme. The existing “My First Home” loan programme would also continue.

Newly married couples building on rural plots or purchasing social housing would qualify for customs duty exemptions on white goods upon presenting their marriage certificates.

Mr Üstel also proposed interest-supported marriage loans of 500,000TL, repayable over 36 months, for young couples aged 18 to 28. Cash assistance paid by the Social Insurance Department to eligible newlyweds would rise to 200,000TL.

Employment measures, targeted to begin in January 2027, would provide 50,000TL in salary support and cover 100 per cent of social security contributions for young people up to the age of 35 entering employment for the first time.

The education proposals would see the state cover university tuition fees from 2027 for TRNC citizens placed through an examination organised by the Education Ministry. Existing university students with a grade point average of at least 3.00 would also be eligible.

Mr Üstel said preventing youth emigration required practical action across education, employment, technology, housing and family life.

Alongside the package, he announced a wider social housing target of 15,000 homes, multipurpose youth centres in all six districts and a Culture and Arts Centre in Lefkoşa.

He also outlined a proposed “Cyprus Tech” initiative offering tax exemptions, credit and social security contribution support to young people working in technology.

Other ambitions included upgrading Girne and Gazimağusa ports, rebuilding Lefke port, developing marinas in Lefke and İskele, and reviving Cyprus Turkish Airlines in 2028.

Mr Üstel also referred to projects to bring electricity from Türkiye, develop a natural gas pipeline and expand fibre-optic infrastructure.

Stressing the importance of co-operation with Türkiye, he thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Vice-President Cevdet Yılmaz, the Turkish Embassy and the Turkish people for their support.