Rauf Denktaş had resigned as president of the Turkish Federated State of North Cyprus in the wake of the 2004 vote on the United Nations–brokered peace settlement, ushering in the pro-settlement Mehmet Ali Talat as his successor.

However, the pro-settlement side and Mehmet Ali Talat have lost momentum due to the ongoing embargo and isolation, despite promises from the European Union that these will be eased.

As a result, the Turkish Cypriot electorate becomes frustrated.

This leads ultimately to the pro-independence side winning the general elections in 2009 and its candidate, former Prime Minister Derviş Eroğlu, winning the presidential elections in 2010.

Although Eroğlu and his National Unity Party favor the independence of Northern Cyprus rather than reunification with the Republic of Cyprus, he is negotiating with the Greek Cypriot side towards a settlement for reunification.

Turkish Cypriots protest in 2011 against economic reforms made by the Northern Cyprus and Turkish governments.