Are the different reactions due to separate accounts?

While the victory of Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman in the Northern Cyprus elections marked the beginning of a new chapter on the island, the defeat of Ersin Tatar, for whom the ruling bloc mobilized all its resources, provoked mixed reactions within the People's Alliance. MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli argued immediately after the results were announced that they were unacceptable. Bahçeli stated that the TRNC Parliament should convene to declare the elections null and void and to decide on joining Turkey.

President Erdoğan congratulated Erhürman. Furthermore, it was noteworthy that no one within the AKP had objected to the results. Bahçeli also targeted the Northern Cyprus election at his party's parliamentary group meeting yesterday. Finding the turnout in the presidential election insufficient, Bahçeli once again stated that Northern Cyprus should join Turkey. Bahçeli continued, "After Düzce in '81, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in '82 has now become a matter of life and death."

So why did Erdoğan congratulate the newly minted President, while his partner Bahçeli reacted so strongly? While it's not yet possible to provide definitive answers to this question, which undoubtedly has multiple answers, some critical questions can be discussed for now.

• IS IT A SIMPLE NATIONALISM REFLEX?

Bahçeli stated, "We understand, explain, and take pride in the fact that the Turkish nation has distinguished itself with its sovereignty, dignity, nobility, and justice since 1571." He also continued his rhetoric aimed at the nationalist base by mentioning the National Pact. However, it's highly probable to conclude that the issue isn't solely a nationalist reflex, considering the many developments stretching from the Middle East to the Eastern Mediterranean.

• IS IT A BALANCE ELEMENT FOR ERDOĞAN?

The government, facing a domestic "legitimacy" crisis, has demonstrated its continued pursuit of survival through posturing with Trump in the White House and concessions to the US. It's important to consider the possibility that the results of the Northern Cyprus elections, even if Erdoğan supports the opposing candidate, could be seen as an opportunity to seek improved relations with the European Union, this time with a more conciliatory administration in Northern Cyprus, following the US. Barçın Yinanç also highlighted this possibility in his article published on T24 the other day.

• BAHÇELİ'S MESSAGE TO THE REGION?

As the Middle East is being redesigned by the US and Israel, Israel's occupation of Gaza, the new situation that emerged in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, the neutralization of Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the siege moves against Iran and Yemen have undoubtedly further increased the importance of Cyprus. It is well known that Cyprus, due to its strategic location, is indispensable to the US and EU, and that the island is seen as a base capable of controlling the entire region. Furthermore, its importance for energy lines and logistics cannot be ignored. During discussions of the peace process, PKK co-founder Duran Kalkan recently pointed to Cyprus, saying, "The worst will come to pass in Cyprus, and then we will see what will happen to everyone!" Furthermore, it is worth noting that Bahçeli, prior to Erdoğan's visit to the US, raised the issue of the Turkey, Russia, and China (TRC) alliance. The timing of Bahçeli's proposal, which was known to be nothing more than a bluff, was significant. Another question mark is whether Bahçeli wants to send a message to Erdoğan and the actors in the region about "not going too far" this time through the Northern Cyprus elections, as he did with his TRÇ statement.

• WHOSE SURVIVAL IS NORTHERN CYPRUS?

Leader Özel's words, "The biggest radish is in Cyprus," drew attention to Cyprus. Özel had drawn attention to assassinated illegal betting baron Halil Falyalı, the individuals he claimed were associated with him, and missing videos. Today, in Kıbrıs newspaper, a series of articles about Halil Falyalı, written by Ayşemden Akın, was published under the title "5 missing videos sought by MİT: A network of dirty dealings reaching the highest levels of the state..." The article stated, "A dark picture woven with corruption, bribery, executions, and missing videos. The legacy left behind after Halil Falyalı's assassination is not just money; it's a mafia empire, the traces of an intelligence war, and a system that has infiltrated the deepest layers of the state. This system is still at work."

Meanwhile, nationalist mafia leader Sedat Peker, in a series of videos, accused Binali Yıldırım's son, Erkan Yıldırım, of cocaine trafficking alongside Mehmet Ağar, and claimed that Falyalı orchestrated the money flow of this network in Northern Cyprus and that Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu was a supporter of the network. Journalist Tolga Şardan also wrote an article alleging that Alaaddin Çakıcı had assumed the "management" of Falyalı's hotel and casino in Cyprus. In short, the numerous scandals in Northern Cyprus raise the question of "whose survival is Cyprus's concern?" Finally, the response from Mehmet Harmancı, Mayor of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality (NTM), to Bahçeli also attracted attention. Harmancı said, "Their concern is the end of the mentality that sees the TRNC as a backyard. It is vital that the hitmen, mafia, and money laundering system that has infested the country and the entrenched interests of those who feed off this system be cut off. We will make a promise to you. We will cleanse this country of the mafia system."