From London accountant to the presidency of Northern Cyprus
In short: Before becoming the fifth president of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar navigated a career spanning international finance and media. From the collapse of a billion-pound company in London to high-stakes political maneuvers in Nicosia, his journey reflects the complex, often controversial, intersection of business and governance.
Ersin Tatar, born in Nicosia on 7 September 1960, entered politics in 2003 after a diverse professional career. Before his political ascent, he studied economics at Cambridge University's Jesus College, graduating in 1982. His early career included working as a chartered accountant for PriceWaterhouse in London and serving as assistant treasurer for Polly Peck, a company that collapsed with debts of £1.3 billion. During the resulting legal scrutiny, allegations were made regarding his relationship with CEO Asil Nadir, though the UK's Serious Fraud Office later determined that prosecution was no longer in the public interest.
In the media sector, Tatar worked as the general coordinator for Show TV in Turkey from 1992 to 2001 and founded the Nicosia-based Kanal T in 1996. His political career saw him serve as Finance Minister under Derviş Eroğlu following his 2009 election to Parliament. After winning the leadership of the National Unity Party (UBP) in 2018, he served as Prime Minister until his election as president in 2020.
Tatar's presidency was marked by significant geopolitical tension, notably his 2020 announcement to reopen the Varosha beachfront—a move sanctioned by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This decision, which had been guarded by Turkish soldiers since the 1974 invasion, drew widespread international condemnation. His tenure concluded in October 2025, when he was defeated in the presidential election, receiving 35.81% of the vote compared to Tufan Erhürman's 62.76%.
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