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A brief moment of apparent drowsiness from Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has gone viral, after footage showed him seemingly nodding off during a speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Friday.
The clip, broadcast by Turkish state TV and widely shared on Turkish Cypriot social media, captures Tatar with his eyes shut and head tilted forward for several seconds. He quickly regained composure and applauded Erdogan’s remarks, especially those concerning Cyprus.
Cumhurbaşkanı Ersin Tatar, Antalya Diplomasi Forumu’nda Türkiye Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan’ın konuşması sırasında uyuya kaldı. #haber #kktc #ersintatar pic.twitter.com/zno6hc7ze5
— Kıbrıs Postası (@kibris_postasi) April 11, 2025
While the moment drew light-hearted attention online, it coincided with more serious political uncertainty surrounding Tatar. Turkish Cypriot media report that his candidacy in the upcoming “presidential elections” is now in doubt, following a controversial social media post by his wife, Sibel Tatar, criticizing a headscarf policy. The post reportedly upset Ankara and members of Tatar’s ruling party, prompting speculation that party officials may shift support to UBP leader and “Prime Minister” Unal Ustel.
Despite the chatter, analysts note that Ankara is expected to have the final say on who will run in the elections.
