Cyprus coalition holds firm in vote before UN talks

Cyprus’s ruling communist Akel held on to its share of the vote in a parliamentary election on Sunday, as Greek Cypriots went to the polls ahead of talks with the UN chief on ending the island’s division.

Akel’s governing coalition partner Diko, however, lost ground as the main opposition party Disy made gains.

Although Diko’s share fell from the last legislative election in 2006, the administration is expected to hold on to its majority in the 56-seat House of Representatives. The election saw the two major parties of the right and left cement their power base, with Disy and Akel securing a third of the vote each.

Disy topped the poll with 34.27 percent (+3.75 percent on 2006), Akel came second with 32.67 percent (+1.36 percent), the centre-right Diko secured 15.77 percent (-2.2 percent), according to the official results.

However, there was a 21.32-percent absentee vote on an island where voting is obligatory by law. The turnout was 78.68 percent from an electorate of 531,463.