Tufan Erhurman was sworn in on Friday morning as the new leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, following the October 19 elections in the north. The ceremony took place during an extraordinary plenary session of the 'parliament', marking the official handover of leadership.
According to reports from the north, Erhurman arrived at the parliament building in his private car and was greeted with a military ceremony by the 'speaker', Ziya Oztukler. Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz attended the event on behalf of Ankara.
After Erhurman took the oath, the Turkish national anthem was played. Before leaving the building, he greeted and embraced leaders of the coalition parties and then members of the opposition. In his oath, he pledged to safeguard what he called the "independence of the state, the unity of the homeland and the people, and to uphold a democratic, secular and social state."
Erdogan’s reaction
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Erhurman, saying he respects the will of the Turkish Cypriots and hopes to meet him by the end of the week. Speaking to reporters on his return from a tour of Gulf states, Erdogan said relations with what he termed northern Cyprus would continue as before under the governments of the Justice and Development Party.
“It is impossible for us to look at northern Cyprus in a negative way. This was an important electoral process, and the will of the Turkish Cypriots is very respectful to us,” he said.
Ankara’s message of continuity
Erdogan highlighted Turkey’s long-standing investments in the north, citing the construction of new 'parliamentary and presidential' buildings as symbols of support. He said he had already invited Erhurman to visit Ankara after his Gulf trip, noting that if the meeting takes place this week, they will discuss in detail the relations between Turkey and northern Cyprus.
Source: CNA