On October 19, 2025, Turkish Cypriots delivered a resounding verdict at the ballot box, electing Tufan Erhürman, leader of the centre-left Republican Turkish Party, as their new president. Erhürman’s landslide victory—securing 62.76% of the vote compared to incumbent Ersin Tatar’s 35.81%—has reignited hopes for renewed negotiations to end Cyprus’ decades-old ethnic division, a conflict that has persisted since 1974.
Turnout was robust, with nearly 65% of the 218,000 eligible voters casting ballots at 777 polling stations across the Turkish-controlled north, according to the TRNC Supreme Election Board. The outcome was not only decisive, but also historic: Erhürman’s margin of victory was nearly 27 percentage points, a result that surprised even his most ardent supporters and sent waves of euphoria through the Turkish Cypriot community. As The Guardian reported, scenes of jubilation broke out in the north, with supporters waving party flags and expressing hope for a new era.
Erhürman, a 55-year-old lawyer and law professor, campaigned on a platform of resuming United Nations-brokered talks aimed at a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with the Greek Cypriots—a sharp contrast to Tatar’s vision of a two-state solution, which had been strongly backed by Ankara. In his victory speech, Erhürman declared, “There are no losers in this election. We, the Turkish Cypriot people, have won together.” He added, “I will exercise my responsibilities, particularly in matters of foreign policy, in consultation with the Republic of Turkiye. Let no one worry,” as quoted by Al Jazeera. This pledge signaled both a commitment to dialogue and a recognition of Turkey’s enduring influence over the north.
The election result comes after eight years of diplomatic stalemate. The last major push for reunification talks collapsed in 2017 amid bitter disagreements, especially over security guarantees and the presence of Turkish troops. Since then, Tatar’s administration, with Ankara’s support, had championed the idea of two sovereign states on the island—a proposal firmly rejected by Greek Cypriots and the international community, which continue to support a federal solution under UN guidelines.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a coup in the south backed by the Greek military junta prompted Turkey to invade, seizing control of the northern third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriots unilaterally declared independence, establishing the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which remains recognized only by Turkey. More than 35,000 Turkish troops are stationed in the north, a presence Turkish Cypriots say is necessary for their security, while Greek Cypriots view it as an occupation and a means for Ankara to exert control.
Despite the division, many Turkish Cypriots hold EU-recognized Cyprus passports, even as they reside in the north. Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but only the Greek Cypriot south enjoys the full benefits of membership—a point of frustration for many in the north, who feel increasingly isolated both politically and economically.
Erhürman’s election has been met with cautious optimism on both sides of the divide. Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides was quick to congratulate the new leader, stating his readiness to meet Erhürman “as soon as possible” and reaffirming his commitment to resuming peace talks. According to the Associated Press, Christodoulides reiterated that he looked forward to working towards a solution that would benefit all Cypriots. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also extended his congratulations, promising that Turkey would “continue to defend the rights and sovereign interests” of the breakaway territory.
Yet, significant challenges remain. Turkey’s stance on the Cyprus issue is unwavering: President Erdoğan reiterated at the United Nations General Assembly last month that Ankara backs a two-state solution. While Erhürman has emphasized the importance of working closely with Turkey, it is unclear whether he has the political latitude to diverge from Ankara’s position, given the north’s deep economic and political dependence on Turkey.
Erhürman has been explicit in rejecting the abolition of Turkey’s military intervention rights under any future peace agreement—a major sticking point for Greek Cypriots, who see such guarantees as a threat to their own security. According to AP, Greek Cypriot officials maintain that Turkey’s insistence on retaining intervention rights and troops on the island was the dealbreaker in the 2017 talks. For their part, Turkish Cypriots argue that a continued Turkish military presence is essential for their protection, especially given historical fears and the events of the 1970s.
Another thorny issue is the concept of “political equality.” Erhürman insists this is non-negotiable for Turkish Cypriots, though the term is interpreted differently by each side. Greek Cypriots object to demands for veto power over all federal decisions, arguing it would make governance unworkable and unfairly privilege the minority. Erhürman, meanwhile, has warned that Turkish Cypriots should not be made to bear the costs of another failed round of negotiations, hinting that if talks collapse again, the international community should consider engaging more directly with the north—through measures like air connectivity and trade. Greek Cypriot officials have criticized this stance, arguing it could undermine incentives for a fair deal.
The stakes for a settlement are high and extend beyond the island’s shores. A peace deal could unlock the exploitation of significant natural gas reserves off Cyprus’ southern coast, with the potential to supply energy to Egypt and Europe. It could also remove Turkish objections to major infrastructure projects, such as an electricity cable linking Greece and Cyprus, and possibly extending to Israel—a development that regional players are watching closely.
Erhürman’s victory is also being seen as a reflection of shifting attitudes among Turkish Cypriots, particularly younger generations. As former MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek told The Guardian, many in the north are weary of isolation and increasing alignment with Ankara’s policies. “They want their future to be in the European Union,” Kızılyürek observed, pointing to a desire for greater autonomy and a more European identity. Sami Özuslu, an MP from Erhürman’s party, put it bluntly: “We don’t have another five years to waste. Mr Tatar was the worst president the Turkish Cypriots ever had. Not once did he sit down at the negotiating table, and look where that got us. We need hope and only Mr Erhürman can offer that.”
As the dust settles on this historic election, the eyes of the international community are once again fixed on Cyprus. The challenges are formidable, but with a new leader in the north signaling openness to dialogue and a Greek Cypriot administration ready to reciprocate, there is—at least for now—renewed hope that one of Europe’s longest-running conflicts might finally be moving toward resolution.
