Akıncı was perceived as representing the "brother nation" ("kardeş vatan") outlook regarding relations with Turkey, as opposed to the "young nation" ("yavru vatan") outlook officially maintained by Turkey. Akıncı's policy of increasing Northern Cyprus's independence from Turkey met with strong opposition from the Turkish government, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan having a phone-in debate with Akıncı on live TV soon after his election. While Akıncı proposed greater independence from Turkey, the Turkish government was "sceptical" due to the large amount of financial and military aid that had been given to Northern Cyprus since the 1974 invasion.