The United Nations considers the declaration of independence of Northern Cyprus to be legally invalid[1] and calls for the withdrawal of troops from Turkey that invaded the island in support of the Turkish Cypriot minority.
An ardent nationalist, he pursued a policy of trying to gain international recognition of Northern Cyprus.
This stance, while initially supported by the Turkish Cypriot populace, began to work against him when the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union.
He resigned as prime minister, and replaced by CTP Deputy Leader Ferdi Sabit Soyer.
Turkish Cypriots focused on bi-zonality, security guarantees, and political equality between the two communities.
The Greek Cypriots however emphasized the rights of unrestricted population movement, recovery of property, resettlement, and the return of territory to their control.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan tried to present a compromise formula which would have enabled a federal state to be established on the island.
While there were serious compromises made on both sides, neither the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaderships were happy with the final plan.
[citation needed] In October 2020, Ersin Tatar, the candidate of the National Unity Party (UBP), was elected as the 5th president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus after winning the presidential elections against incumbent president Mustafa Akıncı.
The Assembly of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Meclisi) has 50 members, elected for a five-year term by mitigated proportional representation.
The parliament is composed of 50 MPs, chosen from 6 electoral districts, Lefkoşa (Nicosia), Mağusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Güzelyurt (Morphou), Iskele (Trikomo) and Lefke (Lefka).
Source: BRTK Political pressure groups and leaders: Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions (or Turk-Sen) International organization participation: Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) (observer-state member), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) (observer-state member)