Tufan Erhyurman, the leader of the opposition Republican Party of Turkey, won the presidential elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), lenta.cy reports.
According to preliminary data, Erhurman won nearly 63% of the vote. His main rival, incumbent President Ersin Tatar, took second place with approximately 36% of the vote. The Tatar has gained support from the Turkish government and is known as a politician who has been supporting the division of the island.
Erhyurman assessed his victory as "a common achievement of the Turkish people of Cyprus." He emphasized the preservation of friendly relations with Turkey and expressed his intention to resume negotiations between the two parts of the island.
His victory is being assessed by political observers as a significant turning point. Because Erhyurman supports the idea of a federative Cyprus - which differs from Turkey's current direction. A change in the new president's political course could also affect the geopolitical balance on the island.
Northern Cyprus has been heavily dependent on Turkey economically and militarily. However, Erhurman's team aims to promote reforms, increase civil society engagement, ensure transparency in appointments, and strengthen ties with the European Union.
According to experts, the results of these elections could reshape not only the domestic political arena of Northern Cyprus, but also relations between Ankara and Nicosia.
For information, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is an internationally unrecognized state. It occupies the northern third of the island of Cyprus and is officially recognized only by Turkey. About 300 thousand people live in the republic. Turkey holds a military contingent in this territory, and the Republic of Cyprus and the UN consider this an occupation.
The TRNC currently holds observer status in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization of Turkic States. Erhurmann's victory increased the likelihood of renewed political discussions on the island of Cyprus.
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