Tufan Erhürman, leader of the Republican Turkish Party, won Sunday’s vote in the north on 19 October with 62.76%, defeating outgoing leader Ersin Tatar (35.81%) and signaling a potential shift in tone. In his victory address, Erhürman pledged inclusion and moderation while keeping coordination with Ankara.

>>How the World’s Media Read Erhürman’s Win—and the Renewed Hopes for Cyprus Talks<<

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides congratulated Erhürman and said he hopes to meet “as soon as possible.” Both sides frame the next weeks as an opening to test whether political change can unlock steps toward UN-framed, results-oriented talks.

UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín is expected in Cyprus shortly to prepare the next expanded meeting and launch post-election consultations with both sides, the guarantor powers, and Brussels. Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou reaffirmed Nicosia’s goal: resume from the Crans-Montana acquis, while “not overlooking Turkey’s stance.”

The UN aims to convene an expanded informal 5+1 meeting before the end of 2025, subject to Holguín’s consultations and progress on CBMs. The expectation in Nicosia is for early contact between Christodoulides and Erhürman, potentially to de-freeze working channels and bank more CBMs while the parameters for a return to UN-framed negotiations are tested.

The 27 September trilateral in New York (Guterres–Christodoulides–Tatar) was brief and tense but yielded clarity on process: the UN remains “steadfast” about restarting substantive negotiations from where they left off in 2017, and Holguín would intensify shuttle diplomacy immediately after the 19 October vote. Confidence-building measures (CBMs) weren’t the focus that day; several previously agreed CBMs are being rolled out, with others pending.

• October 2024 (New York) – Informal dinner hosted by Guterres: leaders agree to expanded informal meetings under the UN and to explore new crossing points in Cyprus.

• March 2025 (Geneva) – Informal five-party meeting: first tangible progress since 2017. Agreement on CBMs, appointment/continuation of a UN personal envoy, and a follow-up meeting set for late July.

• April 2025 (Nicosia) – Progress reported on most CBMs: Youth Technical Committee, cemetery restoration, demining, and work on solar energy in the buffer zone; discussions continue on new crossings.

• May 2025 (Nicosia) – Leaders launch the bicommunal Youth Technical Committee; atmosphere mixed—Christodoulides notes “slow-slow” won’t deliver results.

• July 17, 2025 (New York) – Five-party discussions stall on core issues; agreement to push for a trilateral during UNGA in September.

• September 17, 2025 (UN HQ) – Guterres: “determined” to resume talks; plans meetings with both leaders during High-Level Week.

• September 27, 2025 (New York) – Trilateral confirms UN push to restart substantive talks; Holguín to intensify consultations post-19 October.