NICOSIA (AP) — Hopes for a resumption of long-stalled talks to heal Cyprus’ decades-old ethnic rift were buoyed Sunday when Turkish Cypriots elected a leader who campaigned on getting back to negotiating a two-zone federation with rival Greek Cypriots after an eight-year stalemate.
Tufan Erhurman, 55, won by a landslide, receiving 62.76% of the vote, against incumbent Ersin Tatar’s 35.81%, according to unofficial figures broadcast on BRT TV. Nearly 65% of 218,000 registered voters cast ballots. The remaining ballots were split among five other candidates who got very few votes.
At a victory rally in front of jubilant supporters, Erhurman said the election was a victory for all Turkish Cypriots irrespective of party affiliation and noted that any steps forward on reviving Cyprus peace e