DiEM25 in Cyprus co-organised (with NEDA) a political event to discuss the recent results of the presidential elections in Northern Cyprus, together with Bağımsızlık Yolu (Path to Independence) and our Turkish Cypriot comrades, in Nicosia. The event was titled “The Day After: The Tasks of the Left Following Erhürman’s Victory.”

In the presidential election held on October 19 in Northern Cyprus, Turkish Cypriots expressed their political will through Tufan Erhürman’s landslide victory, as he won a remarkable 62.8% of the vote compared to Ersin Tatar’s 35.8%.

Tatar lost the election despite having the backing of Turkey’s political establishment. MPs and political figures from the AKP and MHP visited Cyprus, singers held concerts, and even a local imam dedicated a prayer session to him.

Erhürman’s victory was a heavy blow to the ‘motherland’s’ interference.

Erhürman is expected to re-engage in the negotiation process on the national question, supporting a federation based on previously agreed frameworks. Yet he faces a difficult task ahead, as he must represent the people’s will in support of a federation despite numerous local and international obstacles – such as the recently passed law declaring the TRNC’s official position as a two-state solution, and the far-right interference and threats already voiced by MHP leaders.

Representing DiEM25 in Cyprus, Demos Ioakeim presented a political analysis of the results and of the National Issue in general, taking into account both historical and contemporary aspects. Among other things, he noted:

“We welcome the election of Tufan Erhürman with a notable 63%, backed strongly by progressive parties, movements, and trade unions. A strong message against Turkey’s suffocating embrace — a message in favour of federation and against the ‘two-state solution’ proposed by the nationalist Ersin Tatar and the rest of the far right. Turkish Cypriots have rejected the Turkish government’s overt and authoritarian interventions.

At the same time, the result also reflected a strong social reaction against the socio-economic policies being implemented in the northern areas, which are putting dramatic pressure on the Turkish Cypriot community’s standard of living. Especially in today’s Cyprus, where we face issues of housing, high living costs, and basic rights – on both sides.

The outcome of the vote opens a window of hope and prospect for the Cyprus problem, hopefully putting negotiations for a bi-communal federation with political equality, reunification, and peace back on track.

However, it is too early to discuss any prospect of resuming talks on a federal solution to the Cyprus problem, given the policies of the governments led by Nikos Christodoulides in Cyprus and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey. It will take a huge effort – and above all, pressure from the grassroots – for any positive developments to emerge.”

DiEM25 in Cyprus sends out a message to continue the common struggle of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots for an independent, reunited, peaceful, democratic, and socialist Cyprus – free from barbed wire, foreign armies, and guardians. For a Cyprus that is the common homeland of all its children.

A Cyprus without armies, without bases, without guarantors, with equal and fundamental rights for all citizens. The federal solution with political equality must be based on the complete demilitarisation of the island, including the withdrawal of the British bases, the disbandment of the army of the Republic of Cyprus, and the withdrawal of Greek and Turkish military forces. An independent Cyprus – part of a new Non-Aligned Movement.

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