Cyprus: The historical context of rotating presidency

The concept of a rotating presidency in Cyprus has been a persistent issue for nearly half a century, with the 1974 war serving as a major turning point. Prior to 1974, discussions regarding rotating leadership were often symbolic, such as models resembling the US system where a Greek Cypriot might serve as President and a Turkish Cypriot as Vice President.

Following the 1974 war, the Turkish Cypriot side integrated the rotating presidency into its demand for full equality. On February 13, 1975, proposals were made to the Greek Cypriot side advocating for full political equality and equal participation of both communities in the joint institutions of a new state.

The idea was notably advanced by Necmettin Erbakan, leader of the National Salvation Party, following the declaration of the Turkish Cypriot Federated State. Erbakan proposed that in a federal Cyprus composed of two federated states, the presidency should rotate annually, similar to the Swiss model.