| Author (Person) | Bower, Helen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series Title | In Focus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series Details | 18.2.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Publication Date | 18/02/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tassos Papadopoulos, the opposition leader, claimed a surprise victory in the Greek Cypriot Presidential elections on 16 February 2002 after winning 51.5% of the vote. With over half the island's population backing the leader of the Democratic Party, Mr. Papadopoulos was able to claim victory after the first round rather than going to a second round a week later, as had been expected. Glafcos Clerides, the 84 year old, long-standing right wing leader, only secured 38.5% of the vote. The election of a new President comes at a crucial time for the future of the island, as the latest UN plan for a peaceful reunification of the island must be accepted by both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides by 28 February 2002, giving Mr. Papadopoulos less than two weeks to negotiate a deal. The deadline is urgent if Cyprus is to stay on track to join the European Union in the next wave of enlargement on 1 May 2004. The latest plan to reunite the Greek Cypriot and Turkish sectors of the island, which have been divided for nearly thirty years, was put forward by the United Nations in November 2002. It foresees a loose confederation of the two communities with a six-member presidential council proportional to the population of the two states, with a 10-month rotating presidency and a two chamber parliament. There would be a single Cypriot citizenship and a constitution to safeguard civil rights and the rights of minorities. Refugees from the 1974 fighting would be allowed to receive compensation and territorial adjustments would lower the Turkish Cypriot stake in the island from 36% to 28.5%. When the proposal was first made public, Mr. Papadopoulos suggested that it should be rejected without a second glance although he was later reported to have accepted that the UN plan represents the basis of any future settlement. However initial media reports following Mr. Papadopoulos' victory suggested that his election could threaten the success of the peace plan as he has made it clear that he wants to make changes to the plan before he accepts it, particularly the right of refugees to return to their homes in the Turkish Cypriot sector of the island. But Mr. Papadopoulos has said that despite his desire to 'bring about the improvements necessary to change the plan into a viable and lasting solution', he will start talks on the UN peace plan in a positive spirit. Negotiations are set to intensify over the next two weeks with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul meeting on the sidelines of the EU emergency summit in Brussels on 17 February 2002 and Mr. Annan due to visit the island to try to secure support for the pact in a week's time following visits to Ankara and Athens. Mr Papadopoulos has also asked outgoing President, Mr Clerides, to stay on as an advisor through the negotiations. Mr. Papadopoulos, who becomes the fifth Greek Cypriot president, was able to secure such a strong victory in the first round of elections after he received support from the influential communist party Akel as well as the socialist democrat party, Kisos.
Helen Bower Compiled: Tuesday, 18 February 2003 In the Greek Cypriot Presidential elections on 16 February 2002, Tassos Papadopoulos, the opposition leader, claimed a surprise victory. |
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| Countries / Regions | Cyprus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
