Prognosis: Cyprus’ new president will be determined in a run-off election

In the presidential election in the EU island republic of Cyprus, forecasts after the voting point to a runoff next Sunday (February 12). According to the forecast by state broadcaster RIK, the winner of this first round will be former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulidis. The 49-year-old, conservative ex-chief diplomat comes to about 30.5 to 33.5 percent of the votes.

Head-to-head race for second place

The race for second place and entry into the run-off election is proving to be exciting. The diplomat Andreas Mavrogiannis (66), who is supported by the left-wing party AKEL, and the representative of the conservative party (DISY), Averof Neofytou (61) – both come to around 26.5 to 29.5 percent and are thus neck and neck -Run. Forecasts by private Cypriot TV stations also come to similar conclusions. The official result is expected on Sunday evening. Around 561,000 entitled persons were called to vote. The successor to 76-year-old Nicos Anastasiades will be elected by the conservative governing party.

In Cyprus, the President is both the head of state and the head of government. Whoever wins the vote on the divided Mediterranean island faces enormous challenges. He has to get an economic crisis, corruption scandals and migration problems under control and also bring momentum back into a peace process that has slipped away.

Cyprus has been a member of the EU since 2004

Elections are only held in the southern part of the island, the Turkish-Cypriot north does not take part in the polls. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 after a Greek coup and Turkish military intervention. Numerous attempts at mediation by the United Nations to overcome the division have so far failed. Cyprus has been a member of the EU since 2004. EU law and regulations apply only to the Greek Cypriot south of the island.

sti/qu/nob/kle (afp, dpa)