January 31, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Three presidential candidates are fighting for two run-off spots in Greek Cyprus, according to a poll by IMR published in Simerini. 33.4 per cent of respondents would vote for incumbent Tassos Papadopoulos in next month’s ballot, 32.8 per cent would back Dimitris Christofias, and 30.2 per cent would support Ioannis Kasoulides.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Three presidential candidates are fighting for two run-off spots in Greek Cyprus, according to a poll by IMR published in Simerini. 33.4 per cent of respondents would vote for incumbent Tassos Papadopoulos in next month’s ballot, 32.8 per cent would back Dimitris Christofias, and 30.2 per cent would support Ioannis Kasoulides.

Marios Matsakis and Costas Themistocleous are way behind, each with the support of less than one per cent of respondents.

The presidential election in Greek Cyprus is scheduled for Feb. 17. If no candidate garners more than 50 per cent of all cast ballots, a run-off would take place a week later.

Papadopoulos won the 2003 election with 51.5 per cent of the vote. He has been endorsed by the Democratic Party (DIKO), the Movement of Social Democrats (EDEK) and the European Party (EvroKo). Christofias is the president of the House of Representatives and secretary general of the left-wing Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL). Kasoulides, a former foreign minister, is backed by the opposition Democratic Rally (DISY).

In 2006, Greek Cypriot voters renewed the House of Representatives. Final results gave AKEL and DIKO 29 seats in the legislative branch, enough to guarantee that Christofias would preside the chamber.

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.

On Jan. 24, Christofias told an audience of business executives that if elected he will safeguard the principles of an open economy and would not introduce socialist policies, saying, "Most of you are worried about the prospect of me becoming president and wonder whether the leader of AKEL can actually help economic growth without overturns and tribulations. (...) A sound economy is a weapon in our hands to rid our country of the Turkish occupation, but we must not become complacent with economic growth and abandon efforts to reunite Cyprus. The biggest danger lies in the current situation when we think there is political and economic stability."

Polling Data

If the presidential election were held this Sunday, who would you vote for?

Tassos Papadopoulos	33.4%
Dimitris Christofias	32.8%
Ioannis Kasoulides	30.2%
Marios Matsakis	0.8%
Costas Themistocleous	0.4%

Source: IMR / Simerini
Methodology: Interviews with 1,500 Greek Cyprus adults, conducted in January 2008. No margin of error was provided.