Moderate center-left candidate Tufan Erhürman has won the presidential election in Turkish Cyprus, defeating incumbent Ersin Tatar in a decisive vote that could revive stalled United Nations talks on Cyprus’ reunification.
This victory marks a significant turning point in the politics of the divided island for almost five decades.
According to official results, Erhürman, a lawyer and leader of the Republican Party of Turkey (CTP), secured 62.8% of the vote from over 218,000 registered voters, dominating Tatar, who received 35.8% of the vote.
Erhürman’s campaign focused on reviving negotiations with Greek Cypriots over the island’s future, promoting a federal solution long supported by the UN.
Erhürman’s victory comes after a period of stagnation in the peace talks, which have been suspended since 2017.
Cyprus seceded in 1974 following a Turkish invasion triggered by a Greek-backed coup, which followed sporadic fighting after a joint administration collapsed in 1963. Northern Cyprus was declared a separate entity in 1983 and is recognized only by Turkey.
Ersin Tatar, who came to power in 2020, has supported a two-state policy, which has been categorically rejected by Greek Cypriots and the international community. Erhürman, in contrast, has promised to pursue a federal solution, focusing on a reunified Cyprus with joint governance between the Turkish and Greek communities.
This approach is consistent with UN proposals and has the potential to restart stalled negotiations, which have repeatedly failed due to disputes over power-sharing and territorial boundaries.
