Greek Cypriots Reject Rotating Presidency

Sourse: angus-reid.com

Most people in Greek Cyprus oppose the idea of introducing a rotating presidency in the island, according to a poll by Symmetron Market Research published in Kathimerini. 59 per cent of respondents share this point of view, while 15 per cent would endorse the proposal.

Relations between the Greek majority and the Turkish minority in Cyprus have been frayed since 1974, when a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey. In the skirmish, the Turks gained control of almost two-fifths of the island, which in 1983 declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Turkish government has never acknowledged the Greek Cypriot administration. More than 30,000 Turkish soldiers occupy the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Northern Cyprus held a presidential election in April 2005, which resulted in a victory for Republican Turkish Party (CTP) candidate Mehmet Ali Talat. In his acceptance speech, Talat declared: "I want to give my hand to the Greek Cypriot people and the Greek Cypriot leadership for peace, to find a solution to our problem and reunify our island."

17.03.2010