The party currently in government has retained power in parliamentary elections held in Northern Cyprus, with around 40% of the vote. The National Unity Party (UBP), which supports a two-state solution in Cyprus, ie. a divided island in accordance with Ankara, is thought to have won 22 seats.
The main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) managed to increase its share of the vote by 50% receiving around 32% of the vote overall. The CTP is in favour of a federation in Cyprus in conflict with Turkey’s Erdoğan administration.
Turnout was at an all-time low of 55.43%, with a significant group of voters boycotting the elections, and some of the political parties were unable to reach the electoral threshold.
The Communal Democracy Party (TDP) of Mustafa Akıncı, a former president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), and the once influential Communal Liberation Party (TKP) were among the parties that were denied representation in the parliament due to the 5% threshold.
Current prime minister and general secretary of the UBP, Faiz Sucuoğlu, held a press conference after partial results had been announced, and stated that they are primarily focused on fixing the economy. Sucuoğlu is expected to be assigned the duty of forming the new government on Tuesday.
Tufan Erhürman, the general secretary of the main opposition CTP, has stated that they are going to represent their vision strongly, emphasising that they had increased their vote, and therefore also the number of seats they hold in the parliament, by 50%.
Turkish president Erdoğan’s administration supports a two-state solution in Cyprus, which has been divided since the Turkish occupation in 1974. Two-thirds of the island is governed by Greek Cypriots. It is internationally recognised as the Republic of Cyprus and is a member of the European Union (EU).
The northern part of the island is under independent administration and is known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It has a population of around 300,000 and is recognised solely by Turkey.
