The legislative Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) convened on Wednesday for an extraordinary session to debate the first of the two Municipalities Amendment Laws which envisages the reduction of the number of municipalities in the country.

The second amendment law on municipalities which concerns workers’ rights and benefits is still being discussed at the committee level.

Speaking to BRT, the head of the Parliamentary Public and Health Affairs Committee, National Unity Party (UBP) MP Özdemir Berova on Tuesday highlighted the urgency of the amendment law on the municipalities due to the upcoming local elections.

Berova also gave the reassurance that none of the benefits and rights of current workers at the municipalities which will be integrated with larger municipalities will be lost or harmed.

“Our goal is to create municipalities that are financially self-sustainable and transparent,” he said.