Mustafa Akıncı served as the President of Northern Cyprus from 2015 until his departure from office in 2020. Before reaching the presidency, he built a political career spanning decades, beginning with his tenure as the first elected mayor of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality, a role he maintained for 14 uninterrupted years starting in 1976.
Early Career and Architecture
Born in Limassol on 28 December 1947, Akıncı studied architecture at the Middle East Technical University. He returned to Cyprus in 1973 and began his career in public service shortly thereafter. In 1975, he joined the Constituent Assembly of Turkish Cypriots. A year later, he secured the mayorship of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality as a candidate for the Communal Liberation Party.
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During his lengthy term as mayor, which concluded in 1990, Akıncı collaborated with his Greek Cypriot counterpart, Lellos Demetriades. Their joint work on the Nicosia Master Plan and the Nicosia Sewerage Project earned significant international recognition. The Nicosia Master Plan received the World Habitat Award in 1989 and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2007. In 2003, both mayors were awarded the Europa Nostra Medal of Honour.
Legislative and Ministerial Roles
Akıncı served as a member of the Assembly of the Republic from 1993 to 2009. In late 1998, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State in a coalition cabinet. He held these positions until 2001, when the government collapsed. He later established the Peace and Democracy Movement in 2003, maintaining a platform focused on social democratic values and European integration.
Presidential Tenure
Following his election as President in 2015, Akıncı advocated for the reunification of Cyprus. His political stance often contrasted with the policies of the Turkish government in Ankara. During the 2020 presidential election, he faced opposition from the Turkish leadership, which supported rival candidate Ersin Tatar. Akıncı concluded his presidency after receiving 48% of the vote in the final round of the 2020 election.
Fast facts
- Born: 28 December 1947, Limassol
- Education: Middle East Technical University
- Mayorship: 1976-1990, Nicosia Turkish Municipality
- President of Northern Cyprus: 2015-2020
- Deputy Prime Minister: 1998-2001
- Spouse: Meral Akıncı
Questions readers ask
What was Akıncı's professional background before politics?
He was a trained architect who graduated from the Middle East Technical University.
Did Akıncı work with his Greek Cypriot counterparts?
Yes, during his time as mayor of Nicosia, he worked with Lellos Demetriades on the Nicosia Master Plan and Sewerage Project.
