Voters in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are casting their ballots today, october 19, 2025, in a presidential election widely seen as a turning point for the future of the divided island. The race is dominated by two candidates with starkly different visions for resolving the decades-old Cyprus problem: incumbent president Ersin Tatar, who advocates for a two-state solution, and main opposition leader Tufan Erhürman, who supports a federal settlement.

The election's outcome is expected to determine the direction of stalled peace talks and shape the region's geopolitical landscape for years to come. The president of the TRNC plays a crucial role in managing negotiations with the Greek Cypriot south and the international community.

Mr. Tatar, 65, an independent candidate strongly backed by Turkey, champions a permanent division of the island into two sovereign states. His platform focuses on securing international recognition for the TRNC and deepening its political and economic alignment with Ankara.

In contrast, mr. Erhürman, 55, leader of the center-left Republican Turkish Party (CTP), advocates for a return to United Nations-sponsored negotiations aimed at establishing a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with the Greek Cypriots. He has criticized mr. Tatar for failing to advance the peace process during his term.

Approximately 218,000 registered voters are eligible to participate, with polls scheduled to close at 1500 GMT. If no candidate secures an outright majority in the first round, a runoff between the top two contenders will be held on october 26.

The election is set against the backdrop of Cyprus's long-standing division, which dates back to 1974 following a Turkish military intervention triggered by a coup backed by Greece. The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was established in the island's northern third but is recognized only by Turkey.

While the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus in the south joined the European Union in 2004, the north remains politically and economically isolated, with only its Greek Cypriot counterpart enjoying the full benefits of EU membership. Today’s vote is therefore viewed by many as a choice between cementing the TRNC’s status as a separate entity with close ties to Turkey or pursuing a path of reunification that could lead to integration with the European Union.