Tufan Erhurman sworn in as TRNC sixth president

Tufan Erhurman was on Friday sworn in as the sixth president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in a brief ceremony at the parliament.

The ceremony was attended by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and it’s ambassador to Lefkosia Ali Murat Basceri, as well as high-profile Turkish Cypriots including former TRNC president Mehmet Ali Talat and multiple former ‘prime ministers’.

Following his arrival at the General Assembly Hall, Erhürman took the podium and recited the Presidential Oath as prescribed by Article 100 of the Constitution of the TRNC with ‘deputy parliament speaker’ Fazilet Ozdenefe by his side.

The oath, delivered before members of Parliament, reads as follows: “On my honor and dignity, I swear to protect the existence and independence of the State, the indivisible integrity of the country and the people, and the unconditional sovereignty of the people; to remain loyal to the rule of law, to the principles of a democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law, and to Atatürk’s principles; to work for the welfare and happiness of my people; to uphold the ideal that every citizen shall benefit from human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to remain committed to the Constitution and the laws; to strive with all my strength to elevate the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and to fulfill the duty I have undertaken with impartiality.”

With the official oath ceremony completed, President Erhürman has formally commenced his duties.

After being sworn in, a rendition of the Turkish national anthem was played, and he then embraced ‘MPs’ from the legislature’s benches.

Following the ceremony, Erhurman proceeded to the state house to meet his predecessor Ersin Tatar, adjacent to the ‘parliament’ building, for a formal transfer of power. 

Erhürman paid tribute to the late leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Dr. Fazıl Küçük, by laying a wreath at his mausoleum in a ceremony held in Lefkosa.

The event began with a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, followed by the raising of flags. President Erhürman placed a wreath at the memorial and signed the Special Memorial Book, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to the values of freedom, unity, and resilience championed by Dr. Küçük.

Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality Mayor Mehmet Harmancı also attended the ceremony.

In the memorial book, President Erhürman wrote: “Your determination and leadership in the darkest times of our people’s struggle for existence continue to guide us today. It is a great honor and responsibility to stand before you as the 6th President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. We are fully committed to preserving the unity and resolve you instilled in our people, and to working tirelessly for a future of peace, prosperity, and rightful recognition for the Turkish Cypriot community. With respect and gratitude, we bow before your sacred memory.”

Earlier today, Erhürman took the presidential oath at the Republic’s Assembly before beginning a series of official ceremonies, including a wreath-laying tribute at the Atatürk Monument. He is also scheduled to visit the mausoleum of TRNC Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş.

Ankara Signals Continued Support

Commenting on Erhürman’s election, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended an invitation to the new TRNC President for an official visit to Ankara. Erdoğan emphasized the strong bilateral relationship, rejecting any notion of distancing between the two governments: “Our relations with Northern Cyprus will continue just as they have under AK Party governance. The will of the Turkish Cypriot people is sacred to us. We would never look upon the TRNC with anything but support.”

Erdoğan’s gesture comes amid domestic political commentary in Turkey regarding differing positions within the ruling coalition on Cyprus policy, with some media outlets describing the moment as a sign of “growing rift in the People’s Alliance over the TRNC.”

Peaceful Transition of Power

During the handover ceremony at the Presidency, 5th President Ersin Tatar delivered his farewell remarks, congratulating Erhürman and highlighting the peaceful transition of authority: “This honorable duty has been a source of pride for me. The important thing is the TRNC and the continued defense of our sovereignty and rights.”

Tatar reiterated his advocacy for a two-state solution and efforts to end international isolation against the Turkish Cypriots.

In his inaugural speech, President Erhürman stressed unity, democracy, and the protection of the Turkish Cypriot community’s equal status on the island:

“There are no losers in this election; the winner is the Turkish Cypriot people. We will safeguard our democracy, our fraternity, and our future.

The Presidency will always remain the people’s house.”

President Erhürman reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing a fair, lasting, and realistic settlement in Cyprus while ensuring that the rights, identity, and equality of the Turkish Cypriot population are upheld on the international stage.

Erhurman, a 55-year-old law professor who had served in the TRNC parliament since 2013, is an advocate for a federal solution to the Cyprus problem. He led centre-left party the CTP between 2016 and Thursday night, being required to resign due to strict rules regarding political party affiliation to the presidency.

Photo: Ahmet Ikidereli

Erhurman won an unprecedented landslide victory in Sunday’s North Cyprus presidential election, unseating Tatar, who supported a two-state solution to the Cyprus problem, and winning a record number of votes for a TRNC president at a single election.

His election comes at a time of heightened activity on the Cyprus problem, and as such, a busy few weeks await him now he has taken office.

He has stated that his first overseas visit will be to Ankara to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which is likely to take place within the coming days.

On the island, he is expected to meet new United Nations high representative Khassim Diagne, and later envoy Maria Angela Holguin, ahead of a third enlarged meeting on the Cyprus problem of the year, expected to take place in New York towards the end of November.

That meeting, just as the previous two meetings attended by Tatar, will be attended by representatives of Cyprus’ two sides, its three guarantor powers, Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, and the UN.