According to official results, Erhürman secured 62.8 percent of the vote in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognized by Turkey, while incumbent Tatar won 35.8 percent.
Erhürman is a proponent of reunification talks under the auspices of the United Nations. He has served in the Turkish Cypriot legislature since 2013, is the leader of center-left CTP party, a position from which he will have to resign in the coming days.
Tatar mirrored Turkey’s views and was in favor of a two-state solution. During his five-year tenure, the Turkish north has toughened its stance, even as the U.N. continues to push for what is known as “a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.”
During the campaign, Erhürman promised that his first visit would be to Ankara to meet Erdoğan.
In his first comments after his victory, the new Turkish Cypriot leader said that his leadership “will be exercised in an impartial, fair and inclusive manner.”
He promised, though, to be in close consultation with Turkey on “foreign policy,” saying that “no one should have the slightest concern about this issue. We will address all ‘foreign policy’ issues in consultation with Turkey,” he said.