Fresh Elections in Cyprus Possible after Tie

15/12/2003| IslamWeb

A landmark Turkish Cypriot election that could decide the fate of the divided island has ended in a dead heat. The pro-reunification, pro-EU Republican Turkish Party - led by Mehmet Al Talat - emerged as the largest single party but overall the two rival blocs have 25 parliamentary seats each. The poll had been widely billed as a referendum on veteran leader Rauf Denktash's rejection of a United Nations plan to reunify Cyprus. The eastern Mediterranean island has been split into Greek and Turkish sections since 1974 when Turkey invaded after a Greek Cypriot coup. Denktash and his allies say a single Cypriot state would inevitably be dominated by the more numerous Greek Cypriots. A coalition government looks highly unlikely and new elections may be held in a few months if a stable government cannot be formed. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. (AFP/Tarik Tinazay)