Voters in breakaway north Cyprus went to the polls on Sunday in a presidential vote seen as a test on whether talks to reunify the divided island can be revived.

Incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, who backs a two-state solution, faces the main center-left rival Tufan Erhuman, who favors renewed United Nations-sponsored negotiations on a federal settlement with Greek Cypriots.

Tatar's position for a two-state deal has been rejected by Greek Cypriots, while peace talks have been in deadlock since 2017.

People walk past a campaign poster of Turkish Cypriot candidate Tufan Erhurman, in the divided city of Nicosia, Cyprus, October 18, 2025
People walk past a campaign poster of Turkish Cypriot candidate Tufan Erhurman, in the divided city of Nicosia, Cyprus, October 18, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/YIANNIS KOURTOGLOU)

Seven candidates are standing, but polls suggest the race will hinge on Tatar and Erhuman, with a runoff on October 26 if there is no outright winner.

A brief Greek-backed coup

Cyprus was split in 1974 in a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-backed coup, which followed sporadic fighting after the breakdown of a power-sharing administration in 1963.

North Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey. Polls opened at 0500 GMT and will close at 1500 GMT, with results expected late on Sunday.