Pro-Turkey Tatar Wins Presidential Vote in Northern Cyprus

Contrary to expectations, the candidate close to Ankara, Ersin Tatar, managed to win the unilaterally declared "presidency" of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with 51.69% of the vote on Sunday.

This victory is key for Ankara as it gives it a leading position in the north of the island. It is noteworthy that the most prominent competitors of Tatars were former President Mustafa Akinci, who had a cold relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and he criticized the Turkish interference in the elections.

“The Turkish-backed nationalist candidate, Arsin Tatar, won the unilaterally declared presidency of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, in contravention of expectations, and granted Ankara a leading position in light of severe regional tension over the background of its projects in the eastern Mediterranean,” AFP reported on Monday.

Supporters of Tatar who gathered at his party headquarters celebrated this victory amid party songs and raising Turkish flags.

"I thank the Turkish Cypriot people who elected me this evening through their democracy," the winning candidate said to his supporters, thanking Erdogan and condemning "those who used Turkey as an electoral argument." 

He also called for the unification of the ranks of the Turkish Cypriots, who "deserve their sovereignty."

Akinci congratulated his opponent and "those who contributed to this result" and said, "You know what happened during these elections," referring to the Turkish intervention.

The turnout was 67.30%, an increase of three points over the 2015 elections, despite the epidemic crisis. Some 199,000 voters out of more than 300,000 people called to vote in Northern Cyprus.

Ankara was quick to welcome its candidate’s victory. "We congratulate the winner of the presidential elections, Ersin Tatar," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote on Twitter. 

"We will work together to ensure the prosperity, development and security of Turkish Cypriots. Together we will defend the legitimate rights and interests of Northern Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean."

In turn, Erdogan wrote, "I congratulate Ersin Tatar who was elected president. Turkey will continue to secure all forms of support to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people." 

Akinci, a 72-year-old, independent Social Democratic Socialist, supports the unification of the island into a federal state formula and the relaxation of northern ties with Ankara. As for the 60-year-old nationalist Tatar, they support a two-state solution.

Ankara considers the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" a cornerstone of its strategy to defend its interests in the eastern Mediterranean and is closely monitoring the elections and has intensified its maneuvers to support Tatar.