Tufan Erhurman elected TRNC leader in decisive opposition victory

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
19 Oct 2025 23:17

Tufan Erhurman wins Northern Cyprus leadership with 62.76% of the vote, defeating incumbent Ersin Tatar.

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Turkish Cypriot newly elected leader Tufan Erhurman talks to supporters after winning the leadership election in the Turkish occupied northern part of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP)

Opposition figure Tufan Erhurman has been elected as the new leader of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), winning by a wide margin, according to preliminary results announced by the Supreme Electoral Commission on Sunday.

Erhurman, the candidate for the Republican Turkish Party, secured 62.76% of the vote, defeating incumbent Ersin Tatar in what was the most closely watched race among the eight candidates in the running, six of whom were independents.

Polling stations were open from 05:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. GMT, with more than 218,000 eligible voters participating in the election. The TRNC leader is elected for a five-year term.

Following the announcement of the results, Erhurman delivered his first remarks as the newly elected leader, pledging to maintain coordination with Turkey on foreign policy and other key regional matters.

A divided island

The island of Cyprus has remained divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion in response to Greek intervention, which led to the creation of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983. The TRNC is recognized only by Ankara, while the international community continues to support the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.

Greek Cypriots favor a UN-led solution based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, whereas Turkish Cypriots, including the newly elected leadership, have long pushed for a confederation model that reflects two sovereign entities on the island.

Erhurman's victory is expected to influence the future trajectory of reunification talks and negotiations under international mediation, as diplomatic efforts remain stalled.