Striking analysis on Cyprus elections: 'The result of Ankara's interference'

Journalist Mehmet Ali Güller evaluated the Presidential elections held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Güller argued that the primary defeat of the losing President, Ersin Tatar, stemmed not from his own political line, but from Ankara's direct interference in the election process.

ANKARA'S INTERFERENCE AND REACTION TO AKP-MHP

In a "raw analysis" shared on social media, Güller stated that the Turkish Cypriot electorate reacted more to the AKP-MHP government than to Tatar himself. Güller expressed that the fact that many AKP figures toured the island for the election and that religious figures like Cübbeli Ahmet gave their support to Tatar backfired.

TRNC PUBLIC REACTED TO THE COUNTRY TURNING INTO A "GANG AND DRUG HUB"

Güller stated that the TRNC public reacted to their country recently becoming a "betting, gang, and drug hub," and that this situation influenced the voters' stance. Furthermore, it was stated that the rise in political Islamism, debates over headscarves, and religion-centered approaches during the Tatar era were also effective in the election result.

TATAR'S CAMPAIGN METHOD DREW REACTION

Güller emphasized that Tatar's framing of his election campaign along the lines of an "either-or" choice, similar to the approach of the ruling bloc in Turkey, also created discomfort among voters.

Güller explained the reasons for Tatar losing the election despite his policy being correct, saying, "Although I believe Ersin Tatar's policy of 'TRNC independence' was based on a more correct line, he lost for the reasons I listed above."

Stating that Tufan Erhürman, who won the election, emerged from the ballot box with a high vote share of 62 percent, Güller noted that the emphasis on independence came to the forefront in Erhürman's election campaign.