Tufan Erhürman, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and a longstanding advocate of a UN-framed federal settlement, has won the Turkish Cypriot leadership election in the north of Cyprus with 62.76% of the vote, defeating the incumbent, Ersin Tatar, who secured 35.81%. Turnout was 64.87%, according to the territory’s election authority.
The result marks a significant shift after five years in which the Ankara-aligned Tatar promoted a two-state formula rejected by the Republic of Cyprus and not endorsed by the UN Security Council. Erhürman’s platform centres on restarting talks on a bizonal, bicommunal federation under UN auspices, the framework that guided negotiations until they stalled at Crans-Montana in 2017.
In his first remarks after the count, Erhürman called for unity among Turkish Cypriots, saying “there are no losers in this election” and pledging to serve all citizens of the community. Local outlets reported that he will step back from party duties to underline impartiality in office.
The Greek Cypriot president, Nikos Christodoulides, congratulated Erhürman and said he looked forward to an early meeting, adding that he was ready to resume substantive negotiations on the basis of UN parameters and EU principles. The Republic of Cyprus has consistently maintained that any settlement should align with UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire.
Reactions in Turkey were mixed. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conveyed congratulations and affirmed continued support for the Turkish Cypriot community. However, Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a key Erdoğan ally, criticised the outcome and urged rejection of any return to a federation model.
Analysts note that Erhürman’s victory may reopen a diplomatic track that has been largely dormant since 2017. Talks collapsed at Crans-Montana over core issues including security guarantees, troop presence, political equality, territorial adjustments and property. Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Turkish forces intervened following a coup in Nicosia backed by the then military junta in Athens. Only Turkey recognises the authority in the north; the Republic of Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 and exercises effective control in the south.
Erhürman’s immediate political test will be to translate the electoral mandate into a coherent negotiating position that commands broad backing within the Turkish Cypriot community while engaging Ankara, which has favoured a two-state outcome in recent years. During the campaign and following his win, Erhürman indicated that foreign-policy questions would be handled “in consultation with Turkey,” signalling the need to maintain close coordination with Ankara while pivoting back to a UN-anchored federation track.
For the Republic of Cyprus, the change in leadership across the Green Line presents an opportunity to test the ground for a resumption of proximity contacts and, potentially, a new UN initiative. Christodoulides has said he is prepared to pick up from where the parties left off at Crans-Montana, a formulation often used by Greek Cypriot officials to avoid reopening settled chapters and to focus on bridging gaps that proved insurmountable eight years ago. Any movement would likely require sustained involvement from the UN Secretary-General’s Good Offices and coordination with the EU, which has offered incentives linked to a settlement’s implementation.
The vote also reflects domestic considerations in the north. Coverage in international and regional media highlighted public discontent with economic pressures, governance concerns and the territory’s growing dependence on Turkey. Erhürman campaigned on improving institutions and aligning policies more closely with European norms, themes he links to the benefits of re-engagement with the UN process.
Whether renewed talks can gain traction will depend on several variables: Ankara’s stance in the coming months; convergence on political equality provisions that satisfy Turkish Cypriot concerns while remaining compatible with EU law; and a workable approach to security and guarantees. Should negotiations resume, interlocutors will also face complex technical files on territory and property, as well as arrangements for the phased application of the EU acquis in the north following a settlement.
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