- Cypriot legislative election, 2011
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Cypriot legislative election, 2011 
2006 ← 22 May 2011 → 2016 56 of 59 seats to the House of Representatives First party Second party Third party 
Leader Nicos Anastasiades Andros Kyprianou Marios Garoyian Party DISY AKEL DIKO Last election 18 seats, 30.3% 18 seats, 31.3% 11 seats, 18.0% Seats won 20 19 9 Seat change +2 +1 –2 Popular vote 138,682 132,171 63,763 Percentage 34.3% 32.7% 15.8% Swing +3.8% +1.4% –2.2% Cyprus 
This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Cyprus
A legislative election to the Vouli ton Antiprosópon was held in Cyprus on 22 May 2011. Of the 59 seats, 56 were open for election to the House of Representatives[1] (the other three seats are reserved for minorities).
The election was won by the Democratic Rally, which increased its number of seats from 18 to 20. The governing Progressive Party of Working People also gained one seat taking them 19 seats. The Democratic Party lost two seats from their original tally of 11 and the European Party lost one seat from their original tally of three. The Movement for Social Democracy held on to their five seats.
Contents
Background
The election follows a presidential election in Northern Cyprus which was won by the right-wing candidate Dervis Eroglu, who beat leftist incumbent Mehmet Ali Talat, amid fears of a halt in peace talks for a unified Cyprus; it also follows a similar legislative election.[2] A right-wing party also won the last Turkish election.
Conversely, in Greece the previous election was won by the Panhellenic Socialist Movement defeating the conservative New Democracy. Roughly a month later, Turkey would hold its own general election.
Political system
Cyprus has a presidential system of government in which the people directly elect the all-important president.[3]
The parliament consists of 59 seats, 56 of which are open for election and three are reserved for the Maronite, Latin and Armenian minority communities.
Cypriot conflict
The election was important as an adverse result against conflict resolution talks could also affect Turkey's accession to the European Union. Though this election would not directly affect the Cypriot presidential election, 2013, it could set a precedent for coalition alliances.[3]
Current negotiations between the two parties concern the establishment of a federation of two states with a loose central government, though implementing the proposal has run into obstacles and Northern Cyprus have not abandoned a wish for independence. Such hindrances to unification include territorial swaps and property rights of thousands of internally displaced persons.[4]
Parties
Incumbent President Demetris Christofias governed with a coalition of his Communist Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) and the centrist Democratic Party (DIKO) which has 11 seats.[3] Both AKEL and the centre-right Democratic Rally (DISY) have 18 seats.[4] However, DIKO dropped out of the coalition in August of 2011, forcing AKEL into a minority position in the house of representatives.
Other parties include: the Movement for Social Democracy (EDEK) (currently five seats), the European Party (currently three seats) and the Ecological and Environmental Movement (currently with one seat).[4]
Issues
DIKO has criticised Christofias' offer for a rotating presidency with Northern Cyprus as part of deal to settle the Cypriot conflict.
The incumbent government was also criticised for its "slow response" to the financial crisis, in which Cyprus experienced its first recession in more than three decades.[3]
Opinion polls
The opposition centre-right Democratic Rally showed a slight lead of the AKEL Party.[3] Though it was still forecast to fall short of a majority in the 59-seat parliament.[4]
Election
The Interior Ministry estimated a total Greek Cypriot eligible voting population of 530,000. Additionally, about 544 Turkish Cypriots residing in Cyprus proper are eligible to vote.[4] The Interior Minisitry also called on Cypriot expatriates to register for the election by the end of January, so as to make preparations for polling stations.[5]
Democratic Rally finished with 34.27 percent and AKEL followed with 32.67 percent.[6]
The high abstention rate of 21% was also noted considering that voting is compulsory.[7]
Summary of the 22 May 2011 House of Representatives of Cyprus election results Parties Votes % +/– Seats +/– Democratic Rally (Dimokratikos Sinagermos) 138,682 34.28% +3.76% 20 +2 Progressive Party of Working People (Anorthotikon Komma Ergazomenou Laou) 132,171 32.67% +1.36% 19 +1 Democratic Party (Dimokratikon Komma) 63,763 15.76% −2.22% 9 −2 Movement for Social Democracy (Kinima Sosialdimokraton) 36,113 8.93% −0.03% 5 ±0 European Party (Evropaiko Komma) 15,711 3.88% −1.91% 2 −1 Ecological and Environmental Movement (Kinima Oikologon Perivallontiston) 8,960 2.21% +0.25% 1 ±0 National Popular Front (Ethniko Laiko Metopo) 4,354 1.08% +1.08% 0 ±0 Citizen's Rights Bureau of the Popular Socialist Movement (Grapheio Dikaiomaton tou Polite LASOK) 2,667 0.66% +0.42% 0 ±0 Balance – Independent Citizens Movement (Zygos – Kinima Anexartiton Politon) 859 0.21% — 0 — Cypriot Progressive Cooperation (Kypriaki Proodevtiki Synergasia) 709 0.18% — 0 — Independents 588 0.14% — 0 — Valid 404,577 96.73% 56 Blank 4,969 1.19% Invalid 8,701 2.08% Voted 418,247 78.70% Registered 531,463 Sources: Ministry of the Interior Cyprus Mail Analysis
An op-ed in the Turkish Hurriyet suggested two repercussions: an impact on the presidential election; and an effect to the United Nations-led direct reunification talks. This could be further hurt as the junior members of the governing coalition had shown signs of a rift with AKEL and Christofias over the reunification talks, as well as social and economic policies. It suggested a "grand coalition," though acknowledging it was a massive task due to the burgeoning ambitions of both the two biggest parties for the presidency between incumbent Christofias and the DISY's Nicos Anastasiades. It also pointed out that though AKEL still had wide-backing their overall performance of the government had lost some support. Additionally, it suggested peace talks would add pressure to Northern Cyprus should a grand coalition come to fruition and bring in a "strong leadership...to engage in a give-and-take." The first test of a such a possibility would be the election of the parliamentary speaker.[3]
[A grand coalition] would produce the best chance ever for a Cyprus settlement. - Hurriyet
Government formation and split
A coaltion government was formed[when?][clarification needed] between the incumbent AKEL and DIKO parties. However, on 3 August DIKO withdrew from the coalition citing its differences over resolution of the Cypriot conflict and consequently leaving AKEL with a minority government. Following a meeting with President Dimitris Christofias, party leader Marios Garoyian said that "despite our continued efforts and repeated appeals, unfortunately, the wished-for understanding between political forces which is so needed in these crucial moments for our country couldn't (sic) be achieved." Part of Garoyian's demands, following his criticism of Christofias, was that the president withdraw proposals for a rotating presidency of a potential unified Cyprus. Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said that though Christofias regrets DIKO's withdrawal from the government he would go ahead with a cabinet reshuffle: "The aim is for the new government is to confront the challenges our country faces with dynamism and determination." He also added that the government would not withdraw proposals during an "intensified period of negotiations" following UN Secretary-Genera; Ban Ki-moon's urging to resolve all core issues by October, including resolving the matter of private property losses from the war.
- Analysis
Al Jazeera read this as a further humiliation to Christofias following the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base explosion since the election, amid calls for him to resign as a result of "negligence" and the Central Bank of Cyprus Governor Athanasios Orphanides's warning that Cyprus may have to seek an EU bailout if austerity measures and spending cuts are not broadened or sped up. In the same week the Bank of Cyprus and other business leaders said that "deep spending cuts are needed fast."[8]
Footnotes
- ^ http://www.mherrera.org/elections.htm
- ^ "Hardliner wins Turkish Cypriot leadership election". Associated Press (Guardian). 2010-04-18. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/18/hardliner-wins-turkish-cypriot-election. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
- ^ a b c d e f "Greek Cypriots to vote in general elections". Hurriyet. 2011-05-20. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=greek-cypriots-to-vote-in-general-elections-2011-05-20. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
- ^ a b c d e Christine Pirovolakis (2011-05-19). "Cyprus to elect new parliament on Sunday". http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1640167.php/Greece-Cyprus-PREVIEW-Cyprus-to-elect-new-parliament-on-Sunday. Retrieved 2001-05-24.
- ^ http://www.phantis.com/news/cyprus-prepares-voters-abroad-2011-parliamentary-elections
- ^ "Right-wing opposition wins Cyprus election". Aljazeera. 2011-5-22. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/05/201152219561448902.html. Retrieved 2001-05-24.
- ^ "Opposition DISY wins parliamentary elections in Cyprus". Famagusta Gazette, CNA, Xinhua (SETimes.com). 2001-05-23. http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2011/05/23/nb-02. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
- ^ http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/08/20118313262573244.html
External links
- Election results
- Election triumph for opposition DISY
- NSD: European Election Database - Cyprus publishes regional level election data; allows for comparisons of election results, 1990-2011
Political parties in CyprusParliamentary parties Democratic Rally (20) · Progressive Party of Working People (19) · Democratic Party (9) · Movement for Social Democracy (5) · European Party (2) · Ecological and Environmental Movement (1)
Other parties CWI Cyprus · Fighting Democratic Movement · National Popular Front · United Democrats
Politics of Cyprus · List of political parties by country · Politics portal Elections and referendums in CyprusPresidential elections Parliamentary elections European elections Referendums Categories:- Elections in Cyprus
- 2011 elections in Europe
- 2011 in Cyprus
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