Mehmet Harmancı was born in 1977 in Nicosia. He graduated from the Turk Maarif College and the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Department of International Relations. During his university education, he took an active role in the EMU-KOB (EMU Cypriot Students Union). Harmancı completed his Master’s degree on EU and Politics in Liverpool at the John Moores University.

 

He started his political career in the Communal Liberation Party (TKP) and subsequently joined the pro-Annan Plan alliance Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH). Following the merger of these two parties, Harmancı served various roles at the social democratic Communal Democracy Party (TDP), including as the party’s Secretary General.

 

Harmancı was also active in civil society and managed various internationally funded projects in northern Cyprus, including the “Engage Project” implemented by the Management Centre of the Mediterranean. Between 2005-2008, he worked as the General Director of a private tourism company which was selected many times as the ‘Best Tour Operator’ in northern Cyprus.

 

After serving as the Turkish Cypriot Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture in 2013, Harmancı was elected as the Mayor of Nicosia Turkish Municipality in June 2014. Having been re-elected twice in 2018 and 2022, Harmancı is currently serving his third term as the mayor. He continues to be a leading advocate in the Turkish Cypriot community for the reunification of Cyprus.