Turkish Cypriots are going to the polls on October 19 to elect a new leader whose main responsibility will be to represent them in efforts to resolve the decades-old division of the island. The two leading candidates are:
· Incumbent Ersin Tatar, backed by the National Unity Party (UBP), Rebirth Party (YDP) and Democratic Party (DP);
· Tufan Erhürman, leader of the opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP), backed by the Communal Democracy Party (TDP), Social Justice and Struggle Party (TAM) recently founded by Serdar Denktash, and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı.
Politis spoke with CTP’s foreign relations secretary Fikri Toros about what’s at stake in a Q&A format.
Amid rising regional volatility, the CTP representative frames the upcoming election for the Turkish Cypriot leadership as a defining choice between a two-state path and a UN-mandated bizonal, bicommunal federation, arguing the result will signal how Turkish Cypriots see their identity and future. He says Erhürman is leading in polls and would pursue “result-oriented, phased” talks under the UN Secretary-General’s parameters, engaging constructively with Turkey, the Greek Cypriot leader and guarantor powers. The party’s red lines are a federation with political equality as defined by UNSC resolutions – including a rotational presidency – and security arrangements that leave neither community feeling unsafe; demographic changes from mass citizenships, it adds, have not altered a broader public appetite for change.
Q&A with Fikri Toros
What is the greatest challenge of the upcoming elections in terms of political stability and the social cohesion of the Turkish Cypriot community?
The ongoing volatile developments in the Eastern Mediterranean constitute a juncture whereby geopolitical relations are being strongly influenced. Cyprus is the “nucleus” of the region. Mindful of this strategically important fact, the ongoing Cyprus issue and its reflections on maritime jurisdiction areas poses a serious detriment to peace, security and energy security in the entire region. Whether this could be an incentive, or an impediment, to the enhancement of simultaneous political will to the solution of the conflict, lies upon addressing concerns and honouring common interests of all parties concerned.
The forthcoming elections in the North can best be described as a key fault line between those pushing for a two-state solution and those supporting a bizonal and bicommunal federation with political equality, in line with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and parameters. This is not just an abstract debate, as it poses serious implications for Turkish Cypriots’ relations with all our counterparts, particularly those with Turkey and Greek Cypriots. The outcome of the elections will be an indication on how Turkish Cypriots see their identity and future within Cyprus. Depending on the outcome of the elections, challenges related to political stability and internal cohesion will vary significantly. I sincerely hope Turkish Cypriots will sustain their will towards lasting peace under a federal partnership on an equal political footing within the European Union, and vote for change!
Thousands of ‘citizenships’ have been granted. Do you have a sense of how this may affect the election outcome?
Our intensive campaign has enabled us to have a strong sense of the public’s pulse, irrespective of their origins. Coupled with the outcome of various opinion polls, it’s clear that there is a promising desire to change the incumbent leader. Reasons are not confined to Mr Tatar’s political position. There is a strong dissatisfaction towards the UBP-led coalition government, consequential to a reactive behaviour and a desire for change.
What are the chances of your party leader Tufan Erhürman prevailing in these elections?
The Leader and the Presidential candidate of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) is clearly the strongest candidate. All the polls show a clear lead in favour of Mr Tufan Erhurman. His personality as an accomplished lawyer, together with his experience in negotiation skills, his unwavering commitment to lasting peace, democracy and justice, as well as his performance throughout his tenure as the leader of our Party, have gained tremendous confidence amongst voters of a wide political and social spectrum.
Will Mr Erhürman follow Ankara’s political line, or will his approach be closer to that of Mr Akıncı?
CTP’s political vision for the future of Cyprus has been renowned since its foundation in 1970. It is well known by all concerned. As the Leader of CTP, Mr Erhurman’s political stance and/or approach is therefore not open to debate. Should he be elected, he will be elected by the Turkish Cypriot people for his unwavering political vision, and will be fully aware of his responsibility towards the representation of his people’s will. Furthermore, Mr Erhurman will persist on the implementation of a different approach to the negotiations, in line with that of the UN Secretary-General; “result oriented and phased within a sense of urgency”. Mr Erhurman is objectively aware of the fact that Confidence-Building Measures will constitute a strong leverage towards strengthening faith and confidence in both communities, as well as to the creation of a political environment conducive to meaningful and conclusive negotiations. The role and interests of the Guarantors must not be overseen at any course of preparations for the final negotiations. This is an indispensable element of a political agreement. Hence, Mr Erhurman will be engaged in constructive dialogue and cooperation with Turkey, as well as with the Greek Cypriot leader, Greece, UK, the UN Secretary General and all other international interlocutors.
The elections are seen as critical for the future of the Cyprus issue. What is the ‘red line’ your party sets?
A bizonal and bicommunal federation with political equality, in line with ALL relevant UN Security Council resolutions and parameters. Political equality, as defined in UN Security Council resolution 716, dated 1991, and including a rotational presidency. The latter is among all convergences reached by the Crans-Montana conference. A firm commitment to all convergences reached by the Crans-Montana conference. A security mechanism must be devised in such a way that it allows no room for a sense of insecurity in either community.