Newsroom
A new poll suggests that Tufan Erhürman, head of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), could clinch a first-round win in the upcoming Turkish Cypriot “presidential elections,” while his party is projected to secure enough votes for a single-party “government” in “parliamentary elections.”
The survey, conducted in September by the Center for Migration, Identity and Rights Studies (CMIRS), shows the CTP leading with 42.25% in voting intentions for “parliamentary elections,” outpacing the National Unity Party (UBP) at 34.21%. Other parties, including the settlers’ Rebirth Party (YDP), the Democratic Party (DP), and the Communal Democracy Party (TDP), drew under 5% each. Roughly 3% of respondents said they were undecided.
In the leadership race, Erhürman polled at 50.4%, compared with 40.6% for incumbent Ersin Tatar. That margin, nearly 10 percentage points, would be enough to hand Erhürman a win in the first round. Two other candidates, Mehmet Hasgüler and Arif Salih Kırdağ, registered minimal support. Six percent of voters remain undecided.
Mine Yücel, head of CMIRS, said the findings reflect both “a lack of trust in the current administration” and growing expectations for change.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to a reunified Cyprus, marking 65 years since the country’s independence. In a statement, the State Department praised the Republic of Cyprus as a “valued partner,” citing cooperation in areas such as trade, tackling illicit financial flows, and bolstering regional security.
The announcement also underscored Nicosia’s role in protecting American citizens during crises abroad, something Washington called one of its top priorities. The U.S. once again reiterated support for a “Cypriot-owned, UN-facilitated settlement,” with the goal of reunifying the island under a bizonal, bicommunal federation that ensures political equality for all Cypriots.
