Taçoy: October 19 Election is About Two-State Policy, Not Party Politics

Speaking on the “Sabah Postası” program on Kıbrıs Postası TV, hosted by Gökhan Altıner, Taçoy also warned that Tufan Erhürman would struggle to align with Turkey, and he described Schengen-related measures as moves aimed at undermining the Green Line Regulation—ultimately advancing a two-state position.

Government Actions Directly Affect Tatar

Taçoy noted that because incumbent President Ersin Tatar is a government-supported candidate, any unpopular government policies directly impact him. Conversely, he said, the opposition leader Tufan Erhürman is in a relatively advantageous position given the current political climate.

“This Is Not a General Election; Turkey Supports a Two-State Solution”

Taçoy stressed that this is a presidential election, not a general one, and voters should focus on policies rather than who endorses the candidates. He highlighted that Turkey, as a state, officially endorses a two-state solution in Cyprus—a policy passed unanimously by the Turkish parliament—and that this is distinct from any political party stance.

Taçoy warned that if Erhürman wins, he might pursue policies at odds with Turkey’s position, similar to what former leader Mehmet Ali Talat experienced. He also argued that Erhürman would struggle to align with Turkey, potentially repeating historical patterns where party support was lacking.

Cypriot Greeks Do Not View Turkish Cypriots as Equal

On negotiations and the Cyprus issue, Taçoy said the fundamental question for Greek Cypriots should be: “Will you share the power of the Republic of Cyprus with me?” He criticized Greek Cypriot leadership for adhering to a “I have the state, I won’t share with society” mindset, seeing Turkish Cypriots as a community rather than as equal state partners.

Reiterating the Presidential Nature of the Vote

Taçoy underscored that Turkey, one of the world’s top 20 economies and a G20 member, will not abandon its two-state solution policy. He reiterated that the October 19 election is a presidential contest and that the winner must align with global policy and protect the interests of Turkish Cypriots—a stance he said Tatar represents.

Concerns Over Property Commission and Schengen Measures

He recalled a proposal in the southern parliament aimed at restricting northern property claims, emphasizing the difficulty of reaching agreements with such a mindset. Discussing border congestion, Taçoy described Schengen preparations as a rigid system intended to complicate north-to-south crossings. He argued that these measures reinforce a two-state position and aim to diminish the Green Line Regulation while imposing economic hardships on Turkish Cypriots.

“The Presidency is More Than a Name; This is a Race for Two-State Policy”

Taçoy concluded that the presidential office carries significance beyond individuals, framing the election as a competition over the two-state policy. Commenting on polls, he predicted a close and fiercely contested race, noting that the UBP is not yet fully prepared on the ground. He added that the winning candidate would likely call for an early general election regardless of the outcome.