Clerides Displaced In Cypriot Presidential Elections

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

18 February 2003

It was reported at the weekend that Greek Cypriot Opposition leader, Tassos Papadopoulos displaced Glafcos Clerides in Sunday's presidential elections.

Although Mr Clerides was trailing in the opinion polls, few believed that his opponent would achieve the required 50% plus one share of the votes in the first round. Official results showed, however, that he actually managed to seize around 51.5% of the votes, ahead of Mr Clerides with 38.8%.

Mr Papadopoulos' appointment comes at a crucial stage in the peace process negotiations, as the Greek and Turkish controlled sectors of Cyprus now have less than two weeks to agree to an UN blueprint which would see a reunited island entering the European Union in 2004.

He is likely to take a harder line than his predecessor, reports released following his election victory at the weekend have revealed. According to the BBC: 'The new President said that he would press for the return of all Greek Cypriots forced out of the Turkish-controlled north of the island.'

However, Mr Papadopoulos has been keen to stress his commitment to the negotiations, telling supporters on Sunday that: 'It is our duty to continue the negotiations with flexibility and goodwill to bring about the improvements...necessary to change the Annan plan into a viable and lasting solution.'

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