Monday, March 30/2026

Courtesy kibrispostasi.com

Had been wondering if the general strike had gone ahead. Not that it seems likely that it would affect us, unless the dolmuşes were to stop running. Assuming the drivers, who all seem to be independent agents in competition with each other, are not members of a union. 

Seems the answer as to whether it is taking place is a definite yes. And popular feeling is clearly against the bill, if a demonstration involving thousands in an organised march on the legislature is any indication. Demonstrators were met by a line of riot police and apparently overcame them and reached the front door of the building. The government agreed to negotiate with union leaders, who entered the legislature. 

The fire brigade was called to disperse the remaining protestors. This seems to have led to conflict when the firefighters began spraying demonstrators, who then grabbed the hose. A tug of war followed and the firefighters began spraying the crowd, who fought back, breaking the fire engine’s windows. Police then used water cannons and tear gas. Journalists were seriously injured, reportedly, and a large number of demonstrators and union leaders were taken into custody.

Unclear who the organisers of the demo were but it can hardly have been spontaneous. Marchers started from three separate points and converged on the legislature. Police seem to have been unprepared for both the numbers and the militancy. 

Undoubtedly a story to be continued.