Ersin Tatar: The New Face of Cyprus’ Leadership
Ersin Tatar is the new leader of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, having won the presidential election in October 2020. He is a seasoned politician and businessman, and his election marks a significant change in the leadership of Cyprus.
Tatar was born in the city of Nicosia in 1960 and holds both Turkish and Cypriot citizenship. He studied in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a degree in economics and management from the University of Sussex. He then worked in various financial and business-related roles, including as the director of the state-owned Cyprus Development Bank.
Tatar’s political career began in 2003, when he was elected to the parliament of Northern Cyprus. He served as the minister of finance and later as the minister of economy and energy in the government of Derviş Eroğlu. In 2018, he was elected as the leader of the National Unity Party, one of the major political parties in Northern Cyprus.
During the presidential election campaign, Tatar promised to work towards a two-state solution for Cyprus, which would recognize Northern Cyprus as an independent state. This proposal is at odds with the long-standing position of the international community, which recognizes only the government of the Republic of Cyprus as the legitimate government of the entire island.
Tatar’s victory was seen as a rejection of the status quo and a desire for change among the Turkish Cypriot community. He defeated the incumbent president, Mustafa Akıncı, who had been in office since 2015 and was seen as more conciliatory towards the Greek Cypriot community.
Tatar’s election has been met with criticism from the Greek Cypriot side, as well as from the international community. The European Union, the United States, and the United Nations have all expressed their support for a reunification of Cyprus based on a federal solution, which has been a longstanding goal of the international community.
The situation in Cyprus is complicated and longstanding, with the island divided between a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north. The division dates back to 1974 when a coup in Cyprus led to a Turkish military intervention on the island. Since then, efforts to reunify the island have been unsuccessful, with numerous talks and negotiations failing to reach a resolution.
Tatar’s election as the new leader of Northern Cyprus has added to the uncertainty and complexity of the situation. It remains to be seen how his presidency will affect the ongoing efforts towards reunification, but it is clear that his two-state solution proposal will be met with opposition from the Greek Cypriot side and the international community.
Regardless of the outcome, Tatar’s election marks a significant change in the leadership of Cyprus and highlights the ongoing divisions and challenges facing the island. As both sides continue to seek solutions, the international community will undoubtedly play a critical role in guiding the path towards a peaceful resolution.
