Turkish Cypriots have elected a new moderate president who wants to renew negotiations with Greek Cypriots for the unification of the divided island. However, the chances of success do not look good at all, writes Michael Martens in the FAC.
The presidential elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), recognized only by Ankara, were called "fateful". The current president, Ersin Tatar, has been described as a "falcon" who does not want to hear about the unification of the island, which has been divided since 1974. "We only insist on a solution with two sovereign states, because two different peoples with different cultures, languages and religions live on this island," the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" (FAZ) quoted him as saying.
The German publication also presents his competitor and winner of the elections with 63% of the Turkish Cypriot votes - the Social Democrat Tufan Erhürmann. In the election campaign, he had promised to renew negotiations with the Greek Cypriots, as well as to work for the closest possible connection of the internationally isolated northern part of the island with the EU. "Every corner of this island will be Europe," Erhürmann assured.
A chance to overcome the division?
But is the victory of the moderate candidate really the "last chance to resume negotiations" for the unification of Cyprus? FAC commentator Michael Martens recalls that there have been many similar assessments and predictions over the past 30 years. Every time it is said that this is the last chance for Cyprus, another one follows, and after it - new ones. In fact, there is nothing to indicate that Erhürman's electoral success can lead to any change in the division of Cyprus. This is also because the Turkish Cypriots in Northern Cyprus have only limited opportunities for their own opinion - they must closely orient themselves towards Turkey, the political, military and economic protector of Northern Cyprus, without which the survival of this state-like entity could not survive.
That is why Erhürman has already announced that he will definitely comply with Ankara, especially in the field of foreign policy. But he has no other choice, Martens points out. It is no coincidence that his first state visit will be to meet with Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It will depend on him whether and how Northern Cyprus could even enter into talks with the Greek southern part of the island. And Erdogan is in favor of a two-state solution, although he said otherwise in 2004.
Turkish Cypriots in Northern Cyprus want to remain
At least as important is the fact that there is no political will to change the status quo in the speeches of politicians from the Greek majority. The elite in the southern part feels great and is not naked with a desire to share power and privileges with the economically weaker North.
What the election result in the northern part proves is something else, FACS points out: most Turkish Cypriots do not want to be Turks, but prefer to remain Turkish Cypriots. Their identity differs from that of many Turks on the mainland - it is more liberal. For example, demonstrations were recently held against the permission to wear headscarves in schools. During his rule, Tatar maintained a demonstrative closeness to Turkey and Erdogan, even regarding the conditions of Northern Cyprus. This probably contributed to his removal from power, notes Michael Martens.