A moderate candidate won Turkish Cypriot presidential elections on Sunday, defeating a hardliner in a pivotal vote that could help revive stalled U.N. talks on reunifying Cyprus.

Centre-left politician Tufan Erhurman sailed to victory with 62.8% of the vote from just over 218,000 registered voters, defeating incumbent Ersin Tatar on a platform of reinvigorating talks with estranged Greek Cypriots on the future of Cyprus. Erhurman, a lawyer, has pledged to explore a federal solution — long supported by the United Nations — to end the island's nearly 50-year division.

Tatar and Turkey, the only country which recognises breakaway North Cyprus, had backed a two-state policy, which has been ruled out by Greek Cypriots. Tatar, who came to power in 2020, received 35.8% of the vote. Turkish Pres

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