(03/18/10) -

Greek Cypriots Reject Rotating Presidency

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – 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.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – 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."

The president in Northern Cyprus is regarded as the leader of the Turkish community in the island, and acts as chief negotiator in talks with the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations.

In February 2008, Dimitris Christofias—a member of the Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL)—won a presidential run-off vote with 53.37 per cent of the vote in Greek Cyprus. One of Christofias’ main campaign promises was to resume peace talks with Turkish Cyprus. In March 2008, Christofias and Talat launched official reunification talks, sponsored by the UN.

In September 2009, Christofias proposed the creation of a United Federal State of Cyprus with a rotating presidency shared between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot side. The president and vice-president would be elected by the entire population of the island. 

The rotating presidency proposal has received criticism from all sides. In February, Christofias insisted that the peace talks will continue despite differences, saying, "The basic principle is that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed."

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose the idea of a rotating presidency for Cyprus?