US EditionTurkish Cypriots elect new leader, reigniting hopes for renewed talks to heal Cyprus’ ethnic split
Tufan Erhurman, elected by 218,000 voters, supports resuming talks to create a two-zone federation to address the island’s long-standing ethnic division.
- On Sunday, breakaway Turkish Cypriots cast ballots in a leadership election framed as a choice between Turkey and Europe, with seven candidates including Ersin Tatar and Tufan Erhurman among 218,000 registered voters.
- The break stems from Turkey's 1974 invasion and the 1983 declaration, with only Turkey recognizing the Turkish Cypriot north and maintaining more than 35,000 troops.
- Incumbent Ersin Tatar has pushed for permanent division, taking cues from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s UN remarks last month while critics say his five-year reluctance to negotiate cost time.
- Diplomatic obstacles persist as partition is opposed, with Greek Cypriots rejecting any two-state proposition and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides saying talks premised on two states cannot happen.
- Local realities underscore why renewed talks remain a focal point as many Turkish Cypriots hold EU-recognized Cyprus passports, while critics say the incumbent's five-year refusal increased political pressure.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Northern Cyprus Elects New President
Northern Cyprus has elected former prime minister Tufan Erhurman as its new leader, winning almost 63% of the vote. He defeated the current president, Ersin Tatar, who was supported by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. While Tatar supports keeping the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cyprus two separate states, Erhurman prefers a federal solution that would unite Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Erhurman said he would work together with Turke…
The Social Democrat was elected in the first round, with 62% of the votes, against the outgoing, close to the Recep Tayyip Erdogan regime. He immediately tried to reassure Ankara, announcing that he would work "in close consultation with Turkey".
A moderate candidate won the Turkish Cypriot presidential elections on Sunday, winning a radical candidate in a crucial vote that could contribute to slowing down the UN negotiations on the reunification of Cyprus, found in the past, reports bianet.org.
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Hopes for resuming talks to heal Cyprus's ethnic divide were boosted Sunday when Turkish Cypriots elected a leader who campaigned on renegotiating a two-nation federation.
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