Cyprus

This is the second time Cypriot voters are going to elect members of the European Parliament in the upcoming elections. Just as in the elections in 2004, the main subject is Cyprus' separation since the 1970s. President Demetris Christofias, the Greek Cypriot leader and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, launched talks to reunite their island last September. But until now, substantial progress has not yet been achieved. And talks could even slow done.

This Sunday, Turkish Cyprus holds early elections in the northern part of the island. Talat called the election to gain more support for a potential reunification. But now, his Turkish Republican Party (CTP) lost ground in opinion polls. If the centre-right National Unity Party (UBP) succeeds, this will have consequences on the talks, the upcoming European elections on the island and even on EU's accession negotiations with Turkey.

Update: Talat did not reach his goal. His Turkish Republican Party lost the election in the northern part of Cyprus. Rather, the centre-right Party succeeded. They gained 44 percent. You can guess that this will have the implications mentioned above.

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