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Round, flint and generous net. Hardline right-wing nationalist Ersin Tatar is apparently reminiscent of Leif “Loket” Olsson. But in this way, he remembers Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more, with the same bombastic way of thundering his main message of intransigence in the face of the Greek Cypriot administration, which has the support of the outside world for the legitimate authority of the island.
Concern for the devastating consequences
And it is precisely because of Erdogan that Ersin Tatar has come to power, critics say who are concerned it could have devastating consequences for the wounded relationship between the island’s Turkish and Greek populations.
Since Turkey invaded northern Cyprus in 1974 to protect the Turkish population after a Greek Cypriot military coup, the Turkish Cypriot side has had a paradoxical relationship with Ankara.
On the one hand, many Turkish Cypriots are grateful to Turkey, the only country in the world that recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. On the other hand, Ankara’s protection has come at a high price. This makes them isolated internationally and many feel a strong reluctance to fall into the clutches of the interests of the Turkish government.
The ghost town of Varosha
The losing left-wing candidate in Sunday’s presidential election, outgoing President Mustafa Akinci, was a staunch supporter of a federative solution with the Greek Cypriots. He also stressed the independence of the Turkish Cypriots from Ankara, which put him on a collision course with Turkish President Erdogan.
Shortly before the presidential elections, the ghost town of Varosha, a popular resort town that has been deserted since fighting forced residents to flee in 1974, was opened to visitors. The controversial decision was announced during a press conference with Erdogan when the Tatar nationalist visited Ankara. Some commentators believe that the result may have decided the election in Tatar’s favor.
“Pure provocation”
The Greek Cypriots perceived the Varosha plot as a pure provocation at a time when Greek-Turkish relations are in full swing due to the gas conflict in the Mediterranean. The new Turkish Cypriot President Tatar wants to work with Turkey in the search for gas in areas that Cyprus and Greece consider to belong to them.
The Turkish government, of course, welcomes the electoral victory of Ankara’s friendly candidate, Ersin Tatar. Pro-government media commentators believe it is an opportunity to think in new directions around the UN-led reconciliation process, which despite decades of diplomatic efforts does not achieve a solution.
Cyprus is a matter of heart
Ersin Tatar advocates a two-state solution on the island, rather than a common federation. He has also said that he wants to see even deeper ties with Turkey.
For Turkey and President Erdogan, Cyprus is a matter of the heart. When President Erdogan came to power in 2002, he devoted all his political weight to the UN reconciliation process led by Kofi Annan.
But the reconciliation plan fell to the Greek Cypriot side to vote against the proposal and in the same year Cyprus became a member of the EU. President Erdogan was bitter about development and, according to close aides, must have come to the conclusion that it is politically worthless to extend a conciliatory hand to the EU.
