2009 Northern Cypriot parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Northern Cyprus on 19 April 2009, a year earlier than necessary.[1] The early election was decided upon by the ruling Republican Turkish Party.[2] Winning the largest portion of the vote, the National Unity Party won the election, and the party chairman, Derviş Eroğlu, became Prime Minister.[3]

2009 Northern Cypriot parliamentary election
19 April 2009
All 50 seats in the Assembly of the Republic
26 seats needed for a majority
Turnout81.06%
Party Leader % Seats ±
UBP Derviş Eroğlu 43.97% 26 +7
CTP Ferdi Sabit Soyer 29.34% 15 -9
DP Serdar Denktaş 10.64% 5 -1
TDP Mehmet Çakıcı 6.87% 2 +1
ÖRP Turgay Avcı 6.20% 2 New
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Ferdi Sabit Soyer
CTP		 Derviş Eroğlu
UBP
Northern Cyprus
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Northern Cyprus

171,000 Cypriots were eligible to vote. It has been claimed that of these as many as 100,000 were originally Turkish immigrants.[4]

Results

The National Unity Party (UBP) won the election with 44% of the vote.[5] The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) received 29% of the vote.[5]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
National Unity Party 622,80443.9726+7
Republican Turkish Party415,57429.3415–9
Democratic Party 150,69510.645–1
Communal Democracy Party97,3346.872+1
Freedom and Reform Party87,8796.202New
United Cyprus Party34,2392.420New
Politics for the People Party7,0910.500New
Independents8360.0600
Total1,416,452100.00500
Valid votes124,29394.29
Invalid/blank votes7,5215.71
Total votes131,814100.00
Registered voters/turnout161,37381.68
Source: YSK

Analysis

The UBP's strong anti-unification position means that the results are likely to halt UN efforts to reunify Cyprus.[6] However, the UBP stated after its election victory that it wanted the talks to continue.[7] The UBP remains opposed to a federalist solution, however, and prefers a two-state solution; while analysts have stated that the UBP is unlikely to directly work against the talks, it might shore up resentment and opposition if the talks drag on too long or if it considers the outcome to be unfavourable.[8]

Reactions

Derviş Eroğlu, the UBP chairman and the Prime Minister, stated, "I am proud that Turkey is our main native country. Thanks to our native country we are living calm and safe."[3] In addition, many Turkish Cypriots celebrated the UBP victory.[9] On the other hand, Greek news agency ANA-MPA reported "despair has gripped the Republic of Cyprus" following the release of early election results.[3]

Some analysts say that the new parliament could create difficulties for Mehmet Ali Talat, the peace negotiator for the Turkish Cypriots. With Talat's party gaining slightly fewer seats, "... it is obviously going to limit Talat's ability to act in a lot of ways, you know parliament is going to have a much greater say in all of this and really can tie his hands."[10]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-15. Retrieved 2009-01-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Turkish Cyprus to hold early elections". Hurriyet.com.tr. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  3. Leviev-Sawyer, Clive (2009-04-20). "Strong reactions to Northern Cyprus election". Sofia Echo. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  5. "World | Europe | Hardliners win N Cyprus election". BBC News. 2009-04-19. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  6. "International news - Radio Netherlands Worldwide - English". Radionetherlands.nl. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  7. "Nationalists sweep votes in general elections in Turkish Cyprus". Hurriyet.com.tr. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  8. "Nationalist election win risks Cyprus peace talks - Taiwan News Online". Etaiwannews.com. 2007-06-12. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  9. "Hardliners win N Cyprus election". BBC. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  10. Morley, Nathan (2009-04-19). "Turkish Cypriots Vote Could Complicate Reunification Talks". VOA. Archived from the original on 2009-04-24. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
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