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The election of a new president began on Sunday in the EU island republic of Cyprus. According to the Interior Ministry, polling stations opened at 06:00 CET (07:00 local time) and are expected to close at 17:00 CET (18:00 local time). The president, directly elected by the people, appoints and heads the government in Cyprus. Incumbent president Nikos Anastasiades (76) is no longer a candidate after two five-year terms.

About 561,000 people have the right to vote. Forecasts must be made immediately after the polls close. Extrapolations based on the counted votes and the provisional official final result are expected on Sunday evening.

A total of 14 candidates are applying for the highest position in the island republic. All polls show that a second round will be needed next Sunday (February 12). Former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulidis (49) is the favourite. The pro-European former chief diplomat could therefore get more than 30 percent of the vote in the first round.

According to polls, two other candidates – the diplomat Andreas Mavrogiannis (66), who is supported by the left-wing party AKEL, and the representative of the Conservative Party (DISY), Averof Neofytou (61) – will be neck and neck with about 20 percent each entry to the second round. Both also position themselves pro-European.

Elections are only held in the southern part of the island, the Turkish Cypriot north does not participate in the elections. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 after a Greek coup and Turkish military intervention. Numerous mediations by the United Nations to overcome the division have failed. Cyprus has been a member of the EU since 2004. EU laws and regulations only apply to the Greek Cypriot south. (sda/dpa)