Cypriots go to polls to choose new president

Cypriots are voting tomorrow to choose a president who could break a cycle of failure in talks to reunify the ethnically split islandnation – and deliver the benefits of a rebounding economy to citizens still recovering from a severe economic crisis.

The incumbent president Nicos Anastasiades, 71, will face off against two main challengers – Nicholas Papadopoulos, the wealthy scion of Cyprus’ late former president Tassos Papadopoulos and leader of the centre-right DIKO party, and independent Stavros Malas, who is backed by the communistrooted party AKEL.

Polls show Mr Anastasiades comfortably leading both challengers, though he does not appear likely to pick up more than half of the votes cast in order to win outright and avoid a 4 February run-off.