Bülent Arınç makes a North Cyprus jab at Cübbeli Ahmet

Bülent Arınç, one of the prominent figures of the AKP, made harsh criticisms regarding the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Presidential elections. Criticizing the propaganda carried out for Ersin Tatar, whom his party supported, Arınç stated that certain circles conducted propaganda using artists who have no credibility left, politicians who have no resonance with the public, robed figures, and commissioned polls.

The TRNC Presidential Elections held on March 19, 2025, were won by Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Chairman Tufan Erhürman. Erhürman achieved victory by surpassing Ersin Tatar, who was supported by the AKP and MHP. While evaluating the election results, Bülent Arınç drew attention to the strategies in his party's process and touched upon the mistakes made.

"THOSE WHO SUPPORTED TATAR TOOK THE WRONG PATH"

Arınç emphasized that the process won by Erhürman was achieved with a campaign strategy more suitable for the cultural and sociological structure of Cyprus. Arınç said, "Some circles openly supported Ersin Tatar and took the wrong path. Propaganda was carried out with artists who have no credibility left, politicians who have no resonance with the public, robed figures, and commissioned polls. They tried to harvest votes with Azerin's folk song 'Çırpınırdı Karadeniz', but the result was a disappointment."

Bülent Arınç stated that Cyprus has a different cultural fabric as a Mediterranean country, saying, "Nationalist rhetoric does not appeal to Cyprus. I wish they had gone to those visits with 'Akdeniz Akşamları' or the folk song 'Dilirga', which Cypriots love; perhaps they would have appealed to more hearts," he said.

THE RIGHT STANCE FROM ERDOĞAN

Stating that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan displayed the right attitude during the election process, Arınç found Erdoğan's approach of "We will work with whoever wins" to be positive. Arınç noted that Erdoğan was the first leader to congratulate Tufan Erhürman following the election results.

A JAB AT CÜBBELİ AHMET

In Arınç's statements, the term "robed figures" (cübbeliler) drew great attention. It is believed that this criticism was made following Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü, known in the public eye as "Cübbeli Ahmet," reciting a prayer for Ersin Tatar before the election. However, the fact that Tatar lost the election after Cübbeli Ahmet's prayer gave meaning to Arınç's expressions.