21.10.2025 21:01
Following Tufan Erhürman’s victory in the presidential election in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), MHP leader Bahçeli stated, "The TRNC parliament should decide to join Turkey. After Düzce, the 82nd province should be the TRNC." In response, a statement from Erhürman’s party said, "Bahçeli's remarks are completely contrary to the will of the Turkish Cypriot people and the realities of international law. They are unacceptable."
In the first round of the presidential election held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), according to unofficial results, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Tufan Erhürman, was elected president by receiving 62.76% of the votes.
BAHÇELİ'S "TRNC" STATEMENT
Responding harshly to the election results in the TRNC, MHP (Nationalist Movement Party) leader Devlet Bahçeli argued that the elections should be canceled and that the TRNC parliament should decide to join Turkey. Bahçeli made a striking call during his party's group meeting, stating, "The TRNC parliament must decide to join Turkey. After Düzce, there should be 82 TRNC."
A RESPONSE FROM ERHÜRMAN'S PARTY
Erhürman's party, CTP, responded to Bahçeli. In a statement, CTP said: "The Turkish Cypriot people have once again strongly exercised their right to determine their future in the 2025 presidential elections and reflected their democratic will at the ballot box."
According to the official election results, CTP leader Tufan Erhürman was elected as the new President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by receiving 62.76% of the votes. This result is a clear expression of our people's demand for change, a need for a predictable future, a spirit of brotherhood, solutions, and common sense.
"RESPECT FOR THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE MUST BE SHOWN"
As the Republican Turkish Party, we thank all citizens who contributed to this process by going to the polls and expressing their democratic will. Respecting the will of the people and accepting the message that comes from the ballot box are principles that all segments must take seriously.
It is our collective responsibility to maintain our democratic maturity and not to allow statements that could undermine the trust and relationships of our people.
"BAHÇELİ'S STATEMENTS ARE UNACCEPTABLE"
In this context, the statements of Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) of the Republic of Turkey, regarding the TRNC being the '82nd province' of Turkey are completely contrary to the will, political equality, and international legal realities of the Turkish Cypriot people. They are unacceptable.
"AN OPEN ATTACK ON THE DEMAND OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE TO BE EQUAL POLITICAL SUBJECTS"
Such statements are an open attack and disrespect towards the right of the Turkish Cypriot people to self-determination, their long-standing struggle for self-governance, and their demand to be recognized as equal political subjects in the international arena. Any political discourse that devalues the will of the Turkish Cypriot people is unacceptable to us. As CTP, we invite everyone to contribute to the strengthening of the spirit of social brotherhood and the development of respectful brotherly relations with the Republic of Turkey, and to act with this awareness.
BAHÇELİ: THERE IS NO VALIDITY TO FEDERATION PROPOSALS
On the other hand, the main points from MHP leader Bahçeli's statements are as follows: "We aim for the continuous production of both light and heat of enlightenment to be directly linked to the social reconciliation of national unity and brotherhood and the existence energy of solidarity. We do not limit this only to thought; we also make our compass accordingly. Our vision and design for the future is a search for a horizon that targets the highest level that the Turkish nation desires to achieve in the world and encompasses the long term.
Those who are focused on distant goals, who pursue ideals that seem like dreams, are only those whose hearts, consciences, souls, excitement, and awareness are great. The real issue is not to focus on the horizon line that opens up before us layer by layer; it is to be able to look beyond the horizon and thus foresee possible opportunities, rewards, and difficulties without falling into timing errors. The examples of this high level of foresight can be seen in the milestones of our history, starting from the Orhun Inscriptions, which are our national monument. However, while doing this, it is necessary not to deviate from the pursuit and insistence on the truth.
"WHEREVER THE TRUTH IS, WE ARE THERE"
At this stage, I would like to remind you of the following concise words of Aziz Atatürk and crown our efforts in this regard with sharing: "We must always be people who seek the truth and dare to speak it as we find it. We must not show the slightest hesitation in speaking the truth, representing and articulating the truth."
Now, the meaning and content of our politics, its execution and expression, are undoubtedly grounded in the truth; it has concentrated on the defense of rights and the people. Wherever the truth is, we are there. We will continue this without interruption and without intermediaries. We will not refrain from voicing our clear and explanatory words, without bending or twisting them, and without entering the orbit of contradiction and hesitation. The essence of the Nationalist Movement Party is correct and natural; its words are straightforward and equipped. With the accompaniment of our virtue and ideology, with the reference of our beliefs and principles, and with the guidance of our ideals and moral goals, we have no agenda other than the purpose of continuing our struggle in the cause and politics.
We will never compromise on being a platform of conviction and consciousness that shouts the truth, even if some may take offense or feel hurt, or if some may feel uncomfortable or uneasy due to the fear of others being offended or upset. Indeed, no one who seeks the truth, aims for the truth, and plans life and politics based on the truth pays attention to noise or yields to anyone.
"CYPRUS IS TURKISH, IT IS THE HOMELAND OF THE TURK"
First and foremost, the first truth I want to state and emphasize is this: Cyprus is Turkish, it is the homeland of the Turk. The validity and future of federation theses and proposals are absolutely nonexistent. Cyprus is our national cause; it is the land of the sweat, tears, and memories of our esteemed ancestors. There is absolutely no turning back from this rightful and truthful cause.
Last Sunday, the Turkish Cypriots went to the polls to elect the 6th President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. In this election, where the number of voters was 218,313, the participation rate was approximately 62.83%. Thus, Mr. Tufan Erhürman, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party, was elected as the new President by receiving 62.80% of the votes cast. Mr. Ersin Tatar, who will be remembered with respect, gratitude, and appreciation for his services to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, received 35.77% of the votes cast and unfortunately fell behind in this democratic race.
"TRNC SHOULD JOIN TURKEY"
As soon as the provisional results of the elections were announced, I shared my views and evaluations with the public: 'The results of the election held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have occurred with very low participation. The fate of the Turkish Cypriots cannot be represented in this situation. Even if the election result has been announced by the Election Board, the TRNC Parliament must urgently convene; it must declare that the election results and the return to federation are unacceptable and must decide to join the Republic of Turkey.
Additionally, in the past week, a proposal on the "two-state solution to the Cyprus issue" was accepted by a majority vote in the TRNC Assembly.
The will of the Republic Assembly is not a federation; it is the establishment of a two-state solution based on sovereign equality. In fact, there is no difference between the approach mentioned and the views we have put forward.
"THE STATUS OF THE TRNC IN '82 IS NOW A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH"
However, I sincerely hope that everyone will come to their senses and read the elections in Cyprus well; to carefully interpret how the path leading to federalism, filled with mines, will reflect on our country and region. The issue has nothing to do with democratic rights and respect for the ballot box. Because the issue is a matter of homeland, a matter of the nation, a matter of survival, a matter of security, a matter of honor and dignity. The TRNC parliament must convene and make the decision to join Turkey. After 81, the status of the TRNC in '82 has now become a matter of life and death."