Pro-European Candidate’s Victory in North Cyprus Presidential Election: A New Phase for the Divided Island
The presidential election in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) marked a significant shift in the region’s political trajectory.
The leading candidate, Tufan Erhürman, head of the Republican Turkish Party and a well-known supporter of reunification, secured victory in the first round with over 62% of the votes.
His opponent, incumbent President Ersin Tatar, garnered approximately 36%.
Voter turnout was nearly 65%.
This victory for a politician who is a law professor and actively promotes European integration could become a pivotal factor in future reunification negotiations.
Erhürman’s campaign focused on resuming dialogue under UN auspices based on a federal model, influencing public sentiment.
In his inaugural speech after winning, he called for unity among inhabitants, stating that there were no losers in these elections, and promised to serve as president for all.
Meanwhile, his rival, closely aligned with Turkey, advocated for the existence of two separate states, complicating the search for a compromise.
The election results elicited mixed reactions on the island.
The Turkish government, including Vice President Oktay, congratulated the electorate’s choice, emphasizing continued support to Turkish Cypriots.
Conversely, Turkish nationalist leader Devlet Bahçeli called for immediate parliamentary action to discard federal ideas and join Turkey.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides congratulated Erhürman and expressed his eagerness to meet him promptly to resume negotiations concerning the island’s reunification under the UN framework.
These political developments could represent a significant step toward resolving the long-standing crisis, though the issue remains unresolved for now.