The National Unity Party (UBP), the party of the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ünal Üstel, has decided to support the current President Ersin Tatar as an independent candidate in the presidential elections to be held in October. Political movements have begun for the Presidential elections to be held in October in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Following the Party Assembly and Central Executive Committee meetings held in Sarayönü, the capital of Nicosia, the National Unity Party (UBP) decided to support the current President Ersin Tatar as an independent candidate. The UBP Party Assembly expressed its support for the government to make sensible decisions in accordance with constitutional rights, universal values, science, and societal sensitivities. “ERSIN TATAR MADE GREAT SACRIFICES FOR THE NATIONAL CAUSE” After a meeting that lasted about an hour, UBP Chairman and TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel made a statement. Üstel, referring to Tatar’s strong ties with Turkey, wished the current president success in the election process. Üstel mentioned that two main points were evaluated during the meeting, stating, “First, the party assembly brought the current issues to the agenda. Secondly, the UBP Party Assembly, led by the Chairman who also serves as the Prime Minister of the TRNC, decided to support President Ersin Tatar as an independent candidate.” Üstel emphasized that Tatar made great sacrifices for the national cause. Prime Minister Üstel pointed out that Tatar’s high-level contacts with Turkey brought the negotiation process on the issue of two sovereign equal states and equal international status to the present day. TATAR’S EMPHASIS ON TURKEY After the decision, TRNC President Ersin Tatar, who participated in the meeting, expressed his satisfaction with the UBP’s support, just like he did 4.5 years ago. Tatar stated that the understanding of a solution based on a federal basis has lost its validity, emphasizing that the new politics carried out on the basis of sovereign equality and equal international status has also made an impact internationally. Reminding that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also defended this new policy in international platforms, Tatar said, “With our victory in this election, national politics will now take its rightful place.” Tatar stated that national politics will take root with the victory in the elections; otherwise, serious time losses will occur, and national politics will suffer. Tatar stated that the UBP always stands behind this struggle and said that harmonious relations with Turkey increase the country’s welfare. Emphasizing the importance of the Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement signed with Turkey, Tatar stated that while the effects of international developments in the Greek Cypriot side are being discussed, the TRNC continues its economic development. Tatar emphasized the significance of the TRNC as a window opening to the Mediterranean in talks with the Turkic States. Tatar spoke, saying, “If we fight this battle with our hearts, in true unity and togetherness, then, in my opinion, we will win this battle. Let there be no doubt about that.” Tatar acknowledged that he carries a great responsibility. TATAR RECEIVED 51.69% OF THE VOTES IN THE PREVIOUS ELECTIONS In the second round of the TRNC Presidential elections held on October 18, 2020, Ersin Tatar, who ran as UBP’s candidate, was elected as President with a 51.69% vote share. The incumbent President Mustafa Akıncı, who ran as an independent candidate in the elections, received 48.31% of the votes.