# Ersin Tatar

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President of Northern Cyprus from 2020 to 2025

Ersin Tatar Tatar in 2025 5th President of Northern Cyprus In office 23 October 2020 – 24 October 2025 Prime Minister Ersan Saner Faiz Sucuoğlu Ünal Üstel Preceded by Mustafa Akıncı Succeeded by Tufan Erhürman 13th Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus In office 22 May 2019 – 23 October 2020 President Mustafa Akıncı Preceded by Tufan Erhürman Succeeded by Ersan Saner Leader of the National Unity Party In office 30 October 2018 – 23 October 2020 Preceded by Hüseyin Özgürgün Succeeded by Ersan Saner Leader of the Opposition In office 30 October 2018 – 22 May 2019 Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman Member of the Assembly of the Republic In office 19 April 2009 – 23 October 2020 Constituency Lefkoşa (2009, 2013, 2018) Personal details Born (1960-09-07) 7 September 1960 (age 65) Nicosia, Cyprus Party National Unity Party (2003–2020) Spouse Sibel Tatar Children 2 Education Forest School, Walthamstow Alma mater Jesus College, Cambridge Signature

**Ersin Tatar** (born 7 September 1960) is a Turkish Cypriot politician of [Crimean Tatar](/source/Crimean_Tatar) origin who served as the fifth [President of Northern Cyprus](/source/President_of_Northern_Cyprus) from 2020 to 2025. He previously served as the fourth [Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Northern_Cyprus) following the collapse of [Tufan Erhürman](/source/Tufan_Erh%C3%BCrman)'s coalition government in 2019, and remained so until his election as president.[1] He was also the leader of the [National Unity Party](/source/National_Unity_Party_(Northern_Cyprus)) (UBP) and [Leader of the Opposition](/source/Leader_of_the_Opposition) from 2018 until his election.[2]

## Early life

Tatar comes from a family of [Crimean Tatars](/source/Crimean_Tatars) who left [Crimea](/source/Crimea) in the 19th century and eventually moved to Cyprus.[3] Tatar was born in [Nicosia](/source/Nicosia) on 7 September 1960, the son of Canev and Rüstem Tatar.[4] His father was also a politician.[5] He was sent to England to attend [Forest School](/source/Forest_School%2C_Walthamstow), a private boarding school in [Walthamstow](/source/Walthamstow),[4][6] then earned an economics degree from [Cambridge University](/source/Cambridge_University)'s [Jesus College](/source/Jesus_College%2C_Cambridge) in 1982.[7][8]

## Pre-politics career

From 1982 to 1986, Tatar worked as a chartered accountant for [PriceWaterhouse](/source/PriceWaterhouse) in London. From 1986 to 1991, he worked for [Polly Peck](/source/Polly_Peck), and was the company's assistant treasurer when it collapsed with debts of £1.3 billion.[9] In the resulting trial that led to CEO [Asil Nadir](/source/Asil_Nadir) receiving a 10-year jail term, it was alleged that Tatar had "assisted Mr. Nadir in the dishonest movement of money from PPI and enjoyed a close working relationship with the Polly Peck boss".[9] When Tatar visited the UK in 2019, for the first time since 1991, there was concern that he might be arrested for his role in the scandal; however, the government's [Serious Fraud Office](/source/Serious_Fraud_Office_(United_Kingdom)) said that this was "no longer in the public interest".[10]

In 1991, Tatar moved to [Ankara](/source/Ankara), where he worked at FMC Nurol Defense Industry Co. until 1992. From 1992 to 2001, he was the general coordinator of [Show TV](/source/Show_TV), a Turkish television channel owned by [Ciner Media Group](/source/Ciner_Media_Group).[5] In 1996, he founded the television channel Kanal T in Nicosia.[5] He was also an active member of the Cypriot diaspora community in Turkey, and was chair of the Istanbul Turkish Cypriot Cultural Association from 1997 to 2001.[7][11]

## Politics

Tatar entered politics in 2003, joining the [National Unity Party](/source/National_Unity_Party_(Northern_Cyprus)) (UBP). He was first elected to Parliament in 2009, serving as [Finance Minister](/source/Ministry_of_Finance_of_Northern_Cyprus) under [Derviş Eroğlu](/source/Dervi%C5%9F_Ero%C4%9Flu) until his party's electoral defeat in 2013. He unsuccessfully ran for the UBP leadership in 2015, before running again and winning in 2018.[11] He voiced support for the [2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria](/source/2019_Turkish_offensive_into_north-eastern_Syria) and said that Turkish Cypriots "are always on Turkey's side".[12] He is a supporter of a [two-state solution](/source/Two-state_solution_(Cyprus)) to the [Cyprus dispute](/source/Cyprus_dispute).[13][14]

One week before the [2020 Northern Cyprus presidential election](/source/2020_Northern_Cypriot_presidential_election), Tatar visited Turkey. After his arrival, he announced that he would be reopening the [Varosha](/source/Varosha%2C_Famagusta) beachfront with Turkish President [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan](/source/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan)'s blessing. The move to open Varosha, which had been closed to the public and guarded by [Turkish soldiers](/source/Turkish_Armed_Forces) since the 1974 [Turkish invasion of Cyprus](/source/Turkish_invasion_of_Cyprus), attracted widespread condemnation both in Northern Cyprus and the [Republic of Cyprus](/source/Cyprus), as well as the international community.[15] His Deputy Prime Minister [Kudret Özersay](/source/Kudret_%C3%96zersay) resigned, accusing of Tatar of stealing his idea; Özersay, who was the first to call for the reopening of Varosha under Turkish Cypriot control, said he was against Tatar's decision because he had turned the issue into a campaign matter ahead of the election.[16] Özersay was also a candidate in the election.[16] Özersay's resignation triggered a crisis that led to the government of Northern Cyprus dissolving just one week before the election. Attempting to deflect the accusations that the decision to reopen Varosha was not a campaign ploy on behalf of Turkey, Tatar said he made the decision in his capacity as Prime Minister and not as a candidate in the upcoming elections.[16]

Group photo at the [17th ECO Summit](/source/17th_ECO_Summit) in [Khankendi](/source/Khankendi), Azerbaijan, featuring Ersin Tatar, 4 July 2025

In the second and final round of the election on 18 October 2020, Tatar received 51.69% of the vote whilst incumbent President [Mustafa Akıncı](/source/Mustafa_Ak%C4%B1nc%C4%B1) received 48.31%, the closest ever margin in the history of Northern Cyprus.[17] Tatar took office on 23 October.[17] The election was marred by accusations that Turkey had interfered on Tatar's behalf.[18]

Tatar was decisively defeated in the [2025 Northern Cypriot presidential election](/source/2025_Northern_Cypriot_presidential_election) on 19 October 2025, receiving 35.81% of the vote while former Prime Minister [Tufan Erhürman](/source/Tufan_Erh%C3%BCrman) received 62.76%.[19]

## Personal life

Tatar is married to Sibel Tatar, with whom he has two children.[11][20]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Evie Andreou (23 May 2019). ["Clash in north over direction of Cyprus problem"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190526115242/https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/05/23/clash-in-north-over-direction-of-cyprus-problem/). Archived from [the original](https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/05/23/clash-in-north-over-direction-of-cyprus-problem/) on 26 May 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Ersin Tatar is the new leader of TRNC main opposition, the National Unity Party"](http://www.t-vine.com/ersin-tatar-is-the-new-leader-of-trnc-main-opposition-the-national-unity-party/). *T-VINE*. Retrieved 26 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Kırım Tatar Kökenli Ersin Tatar'ın Cumhurbaşkanlığını Kutluyoruz"](https://www.kirimdernegi.org.tr/haberler/1236-kirim-tatar-kokenli-ersin-tatar-in-cumhurbaskanligini-kutluyoruz) [We celebrate the presidency of Ersin Tatar, of Crimean Tatar origin]. *kirimdernegi.org.tr* (in Turkish). 20 October 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231228205032/https://www.kirimdernegi.org.tr/haberler/1236-kirim-tatar-kokenli-ersin-tatar-in-cumhurbaskanligini-kutluyoruz) from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Milliyet_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Milliyet_4-1) ["KKTC Cumhurbaşkanı Ersin Tatar kimdir, kaç yaşında ve nereli?"](https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/ersin-tatar-kimdir-kac-yasinda-ve-nereli-6327521) [Who is the President of the TRNC, Ersin Tatar? How old is he and where is he from?]. *Milliyet*. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Barron's_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Barron's_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Barron's_5-2) ["New Turkish Cypriot Leader Tatar Backed By Erdogan"](https://www.barrons.com/news/new-turkish-cypriot-leader-tatar-backed-by-erdogan-01603043105?tesla=y). *Barron's*. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Sunday_Telegraph_6-0)** Mendick, Robert (14 June 2020). ["N Cyprus to airlift citizens from London"](https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sunday-telegraph/20200614/281646782382045). *Sunday Telegraph*. Retrieved 18 October 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_7-1) ["Ersin Tatar kimdir? Ersin Tatar'ın biyografisi"](http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ersin-tatar-kimdir-ersin-tatarin-biyografisi-41222855). 23 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Turkish-Cypriot Official Sees Brexit Helping Cyprus Reunification"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201023033211/https://www.thenationalherald.com/cyprus_politics/arthro/turkish_cypriot_official_sees_brexit_helping_cyprus_reunification-255375/). *The National Herald*. Archived from [the original](https://www.thenationalherald.com/cyprus_politics/arthro/turkish_cypriot_official_sees_brexit_helping_cyprus_reunification-255375/) on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BBC_News_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BBC_News_9-1) ["Asil Nadir employee 'tore up transfer evidence'"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17929978). *BBC News*. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-T-Vine_10-0)** ["TRNC PM Ersin Tatar arrives in London without incident"](http://www.t-vine.com/trnc-pm-ersin-tatar-arrives-in-london-without-incident/). *T-Vine*. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto1_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto1_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-auto1_11-2) ["Ersin Tatar is the new leader of TRNC main opposition, the National Unity Party – T-VINE"](http://www.t-vine.com/ersin-tatar-is-the-new-leader-of-trnc-main-opposition-the-national-unity-party/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["KKTC'den Barış Pınarı Harekatı'na destek"](https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/kktcden-baris-pinari-harekatina-destek-434885.html) [Support from the TRNC for Operation Peace Spring]. *www.trthaber.com*. 9 October 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Cyprus talks cannot last forever: Turkish Cypriot PM - Turkey News"](https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/cyprus-talks-cannot-last-forever-turkish-cypriot-pm-148742). *Hürriyet Daily News*. 16 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["North Cyprus News | Tatar Promotes Two-State Solution"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190927114725/https://www.lgcnews.com/tatar-promotes-two-state-solution/). *North Cyprus News | Online News for North Cyprus*. 6 September 2019. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Maraş'ın kısmen açılması, Kuzey Kıbrıs'ta seçimi nasıl etkiler?"](https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-dunya-54482827) [How would the partial reopening of Varosha affect the elections in Northern Cyprus?]. *BBC News Türkçe*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto2_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto2_16-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-auto2_16-2) Michael, Peter. ["Özersay quits as 'deputy PM' over Tatar's decision on Varosha (Updated) | Cyprus Mail"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230524195320/https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/10/07/ozersay-quits-as-deputy-pm-over-tatars-decision-on-varosha/). Archived from [the original](https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/10/07/ozersay-quits-as-deputy-pm-over-tatars-decision-on-varosha/) on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-election1_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-election1_17-1) ["Ersin Tatar elected new Turkish Cypriot leader"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/18/incumbent-wins-turkish-cypriot-presidential-runoff-exit-polls). *[Al Jazeera](/source/Al_Jazeera_English)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230528170247/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/18/incumbent-wins-turkish-cypriot-presidential-runoff-exit-polls) from the original on 28 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Akıncı: "Bu sonuç yaratıldı, elde edildi""](http://www.yeniduzen.com/akinci-bu-sonuc-yaratildi-elde-edildi-132782h.htm) [Akıncı: "This result was created, it was achieved"]. Yenidüzen. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_19-0)** ["Turkish Cypriots elect Tufan Erhurman in northern Cyprus polls"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/19/turkish-cypriots-elect-tufan-erhurman-in-northern-cyprus-polls). *[Al Jazeera](/source/Al_Jazeera)*. 19 October 2025. Retrieved 19 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Sibel Tatar wife Ersin Tatar candidate prime Editorial Stock Photo - Stock Image | Shutterstock"](https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/turkish-cypriot-election-nicosia-cyprus-11-oct-2020-10949480g). *Shutterstock Editorial*.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Ersin Tatar](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ersin_Tatar).

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Ersin Tatar](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Ersin_Tatar)***.

Political offices Preceded by Tufan Erhürman Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus 2019–2020 Succeeded by Ersan Saner Preceded by Mustafa Akıncı President of Northern Cyprus 2020–2025 Succeeded by Tufan Erhürman

v t e Current members of the Cabinet of Northern Cyprus Sucuoğlu Arıklı Ertuğruloğlu Amcaoğlu Oğuz Evren Üstel Çavuşoğlu Canaltay Ataoğlu Çağman

v t e Prime ministers of Northern Cyprus Konuk Örek Çağatay Konuk Eroğlu Atun Eroğlu Talat Denktaş* Soyer Eroğlu Özgürgün* Küçük Siber Yorgancıoğlu Kalyoncu Özgürgün Erhürman Tatar Saner Sucuoğlu Üstel *Acting

v t e Presidents of Northern Cyprus Rauf Denktaş Mehmet Ali Talat Derviş Eroğlu Mustafa Akıncı Ersin Tatar Tufan Erhürman

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ersin Tatar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ersin_Tatar) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ersin_Tatar?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.