Turkish Cypriots vote in parliamentary polls

Peace efforts are on hold until Greek Cypriots also go to the polls this month

Turkish Cypriots voted yesterday in a snap parliamentary election overshadowed by last year’s failure to reach a peace deal for the divided island in UN-backed talks.

More than 190,500 people are registered to vote in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, established after Turkey’s 1974 invasion of the island in response to an Athens-backed coup.

The vote comes before presidential polls this month in the internationally recognised Greek-majority Republic of Cyprus.

Peace efforts have been put on hold until both elections are over.

Efforts to reunify the island collapsed at a UN-hosted peace summit in Switzerland over disputes that include the withdrawal of Turkey’s 45,000 troops.

The Turkish republic, whose statehood is only recognised by Turkey, is governed by a coalition of the right-wing National Unity Party (UBP) and its junior partner, the Democratic Party.

Analysts say the DP of Serdar Denktas, son of the late Turkish republic founder and hardline leader Rauf Denktas, could fall under the 5 per cent threshold because of intra-party disputes.

The UBP and the pro-solution Republican Turkish Party are the other major parties in the election, followed by the People’s Party of Kudret Ozersay, a former negotiator in peace talks with the Greek Cypriots.

The election, originally planned for July, was brought forward after tensions in the ruling coalition.

Analysts say a coalition government is the most likely outcome, because no one party is likely to win an absolute majority in the 50-seat parliament.

The Social Democracy Party of Turkish Cypriot president Mustafa Akinci, regarded as strongly pro-solution, and the newly established far-right Rebirth Party founded by settlers of Turkish origin are also running.

But observers say the Cyprus problem has not played a central role in the campaign, which focused on basic issues such as the economy. Turkish Cypriots are still hugely dependent on Ankara’s assistance.

A pro-solution government could give Mr Akinci a better hand to play in any future talks with the Greek Cypriots, while a harder-line administration would deal a blow to his authority.

The personal life of UBP leader and prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun came under the spotlight during the campaign.

He announced last that month he was getting divorced after reports he had an affair with a well-known Turkish Cypriot actress.

On January 28, the Republic of Cyprus is set to hold a presidential election in which conservative incumbent Nicos Anastasiades is the front-runner.

Mr Anastasiades has campaigned on a pro-peace ticket, vowing to try to revive talks with Mr Akinci despite the souring of their relationship after two years of tough and ultimately fruitless negotiations.

The Cyprus problem has not played a central role in the campaign, which focused on basic issues such as the economy