The National Unity Party (UBP), the party of Prime Minister Ünal Üstel in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), has decided to support current President Ersin Tatar as an independent candidate in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October. Political movements have begun in the TRNC for the presidential election set to take place in October. Following the Party Council and Central Executive Committee meetings held in Sarayönü, Nicosia, the National Unity Party (UBP) decided to support current President Ersin Tatar as an independent candidate. The UBP Party Council expressed their support for the government to make wise decisions based on constitutional rights, universal values, science, and societal sensitivities. “ERSIN TATAR HAS MADE GREAT SACRIFICES FOR THE NATIONAL CAUSE” After an hour-long meeting, UBP Chairman and TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel made a statement. Referring to Tatar’s strong relations with Turkey, Üstel wished the current president success in the election process. Üstel stated that two main issues were discussed during the meeting, “First, the Party Council addressed the current events. Second, the UBP decided to support Ersin Tatar, who is the Chairman of the UBP and the President of the TRNC, as an independent candidate.” Üstel emphasized that Tatar had made great sacrifices for the national cause. Pointing out that the negotiation process was based on the principles of two sovereign equal states and equal international status, Prime Minister Üstel indicated that Tatar had brought the process to this point with high-level contacts with Turkey. TURKEY EMPHASIZED BY TATAR Following the decision, TRNC President Ersin Tatar, who attended the meeting, stated that he was pleased with UBP’s support today as he was 4.5 years ago. Tatar stated that the federal-based solution approach had lost its validity and mentioned that the new policy conducted on the basis of sovereign equality and equal international status had an impact on the international arena as well. Reminding that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan defended this new policy on international platforms, Tatar said, “With our victory in this election, the national policy will finally take its place.” Tatar expressed that national policy would be established with the victory of the elections; otherwise, there would be serious time losses and the national policy would be damaged. Tatar mentioned that UBP had always stood behind this struggle and stated that harmonious relations with Turkey increased the country’s prosperity. Emphasizing the importance of the Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement signed with Turkey, Tatar stated that while the international developments on the Greek side were being debated, the TRNC continued its economic development. Tatar highlighted the importance of the position of the TRNC geographically, indicating that in talks with Turkic States, the TRNC was considered as a “window to the Mediterranean.” Tatar expressed, “If we fight this battle with our hearts, in true unity and solidarity, then in my opinion, we will win this battle. Let no one doubt that.” Tatar acknowledged that he bore a great responsibility. TATAR HAD RECEIVED 51.69% OF THE VOTES IN THE PREVIOUS ELECTION In the second round of the TRNC Presidential elections held on October 18, 2020, Ersin Tatar, who ran as the UBP candidate, was elected President with 51.69% of the vote. The incumbent President Mustafa Akıncı, who ran as an independent candidate in the elections, had received 48.31% of the votes.