Dual parliamentary and local elections set for December in northern Cyprus

Authorities in the occupied northern part of Cyprus are preparing to hold concurrent parliamentary and local elections on December 6, 2026. A proposal to move up the parliamentary vote was formally submitted to the assembly, shifting the region into a concentrated election cycle. This development has intensified political friction between the primary powers, the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP). UBP maintains confidence in its status as the leading force, while CTP asserts that growing public dissatisfaction with the current administration will shift the balance of power.

Alongside the election scheduling, officials have announced a major procedural change: the abolition of the horizontal, or mixed, voting system. This move, which would prevent voters from selecting candidates across different party lists, is pending legislative approval. To accommodate this reform and the election date, the assembly is expected to meet for an emergency session in September, with a deadline for the legal transition set for October 10.

In the mayoral race for Nicosia, the incumbent Mehmet Harmanci is seeking a fourth consecutive term with the support of CTP. He faces challenges from UBP candidate Mehmet Aktunc and YDP candidate Ozkul Harats. The outcome is viewed as a significant political test, marking the first time in 12 years that UBP has actively moved to challenge Harmanci's long-standing municipal leadership.