New President of Northern Cyprus Mustafa Akıncı
In Northern Cyprus, independent candidate, Mustafa Akıncı has been elected as the seventh president in the second round of the presidential election.
In the second round between Akıncı and the current president, Derviş Eroğlu, while Akıncı won 60.5 percent, Eroğlu won 39.5 percent of the votes. Coming in second, Eroğlu retired from politics.
Akıncı: Time to heal
After the declaration of the results, “No matter what they do, if it's time to make a change in society, nothing can prevent this,” said Akıncı in his speech in Lefkoşa, İnönü Square.
“That is exactly what happened in here, because you were determined to make this change. You have already decided, no one can preclude from this, and couldn't. We, all together, successfully completed this big alternation.
“Today, a new era will begin. This country has no patient of losing any more time. We are from the same generation with Anastasiadis. If we do not solve this problem, it will be a burden for the successors.
“In the past, we experienced too much pain in this land. We were not the only one who suffered. The southern people suffered as well. Now, it’s time to heal each other. Future generations shall share the fruits of this island.”
Greetings from Anastasiadis and Eide
Nikos Anastasiadis, the president of Southern Cyprus, congratulated Akıncı by calling him. “Making a wish for the reunion of the island”, Anastasiadis considered the victory of Akıncı as “a promising progress for the common homeland”. “I look forward to come together at the negotiating table,” said Anastasiadis to Akıncı.
Also, Espen Barth Eide, United Nations Special Adviser on Cyprus, congratulated Akıncı for his new assignment by calling.
Elections
The first round was held on April 19, but since no candidate could earn more than 50 percent of the votes, a second round required. In the first round Eroğlu ranked first with 30,328 votes (28.15%), and Akıncı ranked second with 29.030 votes (26.94%).
In the first round of April 19th, while independent candidate Derviş Eroğlu earned 28.15% of the votes, independent candidate Mustafa Akıncı earned 26.94%, CTP-BG candidate Sibel Siber 22.53%, independent candidate Kudret Özersay 21.25%, independent candidate Arif Salih Kırdağ 0.49%, KSP candidate Mustafa Onurer 0.40%, and independent candidate Mustafa Ulaş 0.24% of the votes.
According to the news of Yeni Düzen newspaper the voter turnout was 64.12 percent. Whereas the 62.35 percent the voters participated to the first round, this figure was one of the lowest turnouts within the all presidential elections of Northern Cyprus. (EA)
* Photograph:Emin Mengüarslan, AA
Mustafa Akıncı |
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Akıncı was born in Limasol at December, 28, 1947. After graduating from Middle East Technical University, he settled to Lefkoşa. He was elected to the Parliament of Turkish Federated State of Cyprus in 1975 and served. At age 28, he was elected as the Mayor of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality. He served continuously for 14 years between1976-1990. During his chairmanship, by compromising on Nicosia Drainage Project and Nicosia Master Plan with Nicosia Greek Mayor, he made it possible to realize these projects collaboratively. In this regard, Nicosia Master Plan was awarded with ‘World Habitat Awards' in 1986 and, Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2007. Also, he was awarded with Europe Nostra Award (Medal of Honor) in 2003 due to his works in collaboration with old Nicosia Greek Mayor. Having a role during the foundation of the Association of Cyprus Turkish Municipalities, he served as the first president of the association. He was the chairperson of Communal Democracy Party (TKP) between the years of 1987-2001. He continued to serve as deputy in the Assembly of the Republic Northern Cyprus between the years of 1993-2009. He was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism within the years of 1999-2001. Being one the founders of Peace and Democracy Movement that was established during the period of Annan Plan, he took on the leadership. He gave speeches on Cyprus Question in the world-renowned academic platforms such as Oxford, Harvard, Yale universities, and the international forums like Chatham House. He published a book named 'Belediye Başkanlığı'nda 14 Yıl' (14 years as a Mayor). Having a good skill of English, Mustafa Akıncı is married, and has three children, two grandchildren. |
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