Tufan Erhürmanspeaking for reunification of Cyprus based on a federal model, won the election of the leader of the Turkish Cypriots, ending a five-year period of dominance of the “two states” supporters under the leadership of Ersina Tatara.
55-year-old law professor and head Republican Turkish Party (CTP) received 62.8% votes against 35.8% at Tatar. The gap of almost 27 points was a record and clearly reflects the Turkish Cypriot public demand for a return to federation negotiations.
In the coming days, Erhürman will resign as party chairman – according to local rules, the Turkish Cypriot leader must retain political neutrality. His inauguration is expected by the end of the week.
Message of Unity
After the results were announced, Erhürman spoke to thousands of supporters in the park Qizilbash in the north Nicosia. In his speech he emphasized: “This is not an election where some won and others lost. Today the entire Turkish Cypriot people have won.” He thanked his voters, noting that supporters of the ruling coalition could also vote for him: “When we’re together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.”
He promised do not deviate from the course of unity And “never give up this land and its children“
Nikos Christodoulides’ reaction
President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides congratulated Erhürmann and declared his readiness to immediately resume negotiations on the reunification of the island on the basis bizonal, bicommunal federation.
“I congratulate the new Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhürman, and express my respect for the choice of our compatriots. Ready to meet him soon“, said Christodoulides, emphasizing that negotiations must resume “from where they were interrupted in Crans-Montana in 2017“and within the mandate UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Athens: “A New Chapter of Hope”
Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis welcomed the election results, saying they open “a new chapter of hope and expectation” for the process of resolving the Cyprus issue. Athens, according to him, together with Nicosia are seeking to return the topic of Cyprus to the agenda UN.
Gerapetritis stressed that any negotiations must take place within the framework UN resolutions and principles international lawand the final goal is “ensure peace, security and prosperity for all Cypriots within a united Europe“
“In today’s world, full of conflicts, there is no place for divisions. Cyprus must send a universal message of harmony and unity“, the minister concluded.
Turkey’s reaction: between diplomacy and internal contradictions
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was one of the first to congratulate Tufan Erhürman with victory. An official statement from Ankara called the election result a manifestation “the democratic maturity of the Turkish Cypriot people”. Erdogan stressed that Türkiye will continue “support your brothers and sisters in Cyprus” and defend “their sovereign rights and legitimate interests” within the framework of warranty obligations.
Vice President of Turkey Cevdet Yılımaz also congratulated Erhürman, saying that Türkiye will remain a reliable partner and guarantor of security for the Turkish Cypriot community. He described the election outcome as “a new stage of political maturity” and expressed hope that the new administration will act “for a just and sustainable peace on the island.”
Contrasting Voices: Nationalists and Turkey’s Opposition
However, the reaction within Turkey was far from unanimous. Leader of the Nationalist Party Devlet BahçeliErdogan’s ally in the ruling coalition, criticized the election results, saying that “the federal model is a trap leading to the subordination of the Turkish Cypriots to the Greek side”. He even called on the TRNC parliament to “immediately invalidate the results“and consider reunification with Turkey.
These words caused a sharp reaction from the Turkish opposition. Representatives Republican People’s Party (CHP) issued a statement welcoming the elections in Northern Cyprus as “reflection of the democratic will of the Turkish Cypriots“and called on Ankara respect the people’s decision. The opposition emphasized that Turkey’s interference in the internal affairs of the Turkish Cypriots contradicts the spirit of equal partnership and interferes with the resolution of the conflict.
Analysts note that Ankara’s official line, although showing respect for the outcome of the elections, remains ambivalent. Türkiye seeks to preserve its strategic influence in Northern Cyprus, but is forced to take into account growing dissatisfaction among Turkish Cypriots with interference from Ankara. Erhürmann’s victory poses a difficult task for Erdogan – balance between diplomatic politeness and the ideological course towards “two states”.
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