Quiet admission from AKP after TRNC elections: 'Moves with no traction on the ground'

The election of Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman by a large margin in the presidential elections held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was viewed as a development followed closely in Ankara. Despite the fact that a wide range of figures from Turkey, from members of parliament to artists, supported Ersin Tatar during the election process, the results turned out to be the opposite of expectations.

In the initial assessments made within the AKP following the elections, views were expressed that "the expected impact on the ground could not be achieved." According to party sources, the view that Turkey's interventionist stance during the election process had a negative effect on the TRNC electorate has gained weight.

"THE PLANS DID NOT WORK" ASSESSMENT

In comments made within AKP circles, the phrase "the plans did not work" came to the fore. According to information obtained by Merve Kılıç from the Cumhuriyet newspaper, some figures within the party argue that Ankara's Cyprus policy should be reconsidered.

One of the party sources stated that the election results show that "the current strategy has no resonance on the ground," and used the following expression:

"This result shows that Ankara needs to redefine its Cyprus policy. Moves that have no resonance on the ground backfire."

In the assessments made in the corridors, comments that the TRNC electorate was uncomfortable with Turkey's direct involvement in the election process stood out. It was stated that especially the open statements of support and campaign activities from Turkey before the election were effective in Ersin Tatar's loss of votes.

According to information conveyed from within the party, while some staff members expressed the view that "local dynamics in Cyprus were not taken into account," they argue that a more cautious strategy based on local actors should be adopted in the new period.

The post-election picture has moved the necessity of reshaping Ankara's Cyprus policy to the top of the party's agenda. According to some sources, it is stated that the AKP administration will review the communication and propaganda methods followed in Cyprus.

Officials stated that Turkey should place its role in TRNC domestic politics on a more balanced footing in the coming period, and it is noted that the expectation of "an approach that prioritizes the sensitivities of the society" has come to the fore.

A NEW ERA IN CYPRUS POLICY?

The developments following the TRNC elections have brought the possibility of a radical revision in Ankara's current Cyprus strategy to the agenda. In the assessments made within the party, it is emphasized that a more realistic policy should be drawn up so that "moves that have no resonance on the ground" are not repeated in the future.