By This post is also available in: ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ (GREEK) TÜRKÇE (TURKISH)
The essence of yesterday’s change in the occupied territories and the tormenting question
If anyone believes that with Tufan Erhürman’s victory we’ll be back at meaningful talks tomorrow or the day after, they’re living in a fantasy world. If anyone thinks that Tatar’s defeat means we’re heading back to Crans-Montana, they will be disappointed. And if anyone imagines that with Erhürman, Turkish guarantees and troops will vanish from the negotiating table as if by magic, they’re frankly delusional.
So why the euphoria over the opposition leader’s victory? Let’s look at a few elements that change the picture we’ve had until now:
- Erhürman, despite all his attempts to balance himself in a polarised pre-election climate, stood against the two-state solution. That’s why he and his party walked out of the rigged “parliament” session that was set to approve a resolution on the matter.
- Erhürman is surrounded by a generation who grew up amidst the Turkish Cypriot uprising of 2003, who spearheaded the “Yes” vote for the Annan Plan, who have built strong relationships with like-minded Greek Cypriots over all these years. Even if Erhürman tries to put on an act, he’ll find himself facing his own “comrades” first.
- With yesterday’s “elections,” Turkish Cypriots reaffirmed their determination to preserve their own cultural identity and refuse to bow to Erdoğan’s dictates of religious submission and the headscarf.
And herein lies the very essence of yesterday’s change. Erhürman will highlight the autonomy of the “Turkish Cypriot people” and their will to move forward, either as partners with Greek Cypriots or alone. And the tormenting question that emerges is: Do we, here, the Greek Cypriots, truly mean it when we say we want a Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation solution? Do we, here, truly mean it when we say we’re willing to co-govern with Turkish Cypriots? If we find ourselves facing this dilemma, are we ready to answer it at both the political and social levels?
Tufan Erhürman articulated certain ideas not far removed from what Maria Angela Holguin has in mind.
Specifically, he said, “This people, as one of the two equal constituent partners on this island, want a solution with two globally recognised equal constituent states, one belonging to Turkish Cypriots and the other to Greek Cypriots. These states will exercise their respective powers sovereignly, and the two communities will make joint decisions based on political equality on issues such as energy, maritime jurisdictions, trade routes, and the island’s security”.
We’re living in a period of global—but mainly regional—realignments. The Mediterranean region, especially after the Gaza crisis, is coming—primarily for economic reasons—under the microscope of American policy. Mitsotakis’s idea for an Eastern Mediterranean conference is no coincidence, nor are the reports about Trump’s envoy, Massad Boulos, who has undertaken a diplomatic initiative to bring Greece, Turkey, Libya and Egypt closer together. And, certainly, at some point, Israel, too.
If the Cyprus problem gets caught up in such grand and ambitious schemes, the prevailing political stance of… “we don’t really…” will mark the end of what we still call Cyprus. And this time, there won’t be a Tatar to save us, as Rauf Denktaş did dozens of times in the past…
This article was first published on 20.10.2025
Source: ERHÜRMAN AND US
