Final poll results showed that the ruling coalition in Cyprus won the parliamentary elections yesterday, which is widely seen as a support for President Tassos Papadopoulos with his hardline stance on the Cyprus issue.

 

The Working People's Progressive Party (AKEL), coalition partner with Papadopoulos' party, garnered 31.16 percent of the vote and maintained its first place in the 56-seat House of Representatives, according to the final election results announced by the Interior Ministry.

 

The AKEL narrowly beat the main opposition Democratic Rally Party (DISY), which garnered 30.33 percent.

 

Papadopoulos' centrist Democratic Party (DIKO) came the third, with 17.91 percent of the vote, an impressive increase from the 14.8 percent it scored in 2001.

 

The Socialist Party (EDEK) had 8.91 percent while the European Party won 5.73 percent.

 

Though the election results are not expected to change the political landscape on the island, the victory is widely seen as a bolster to Papadopoulos who has adopted a hardline stance on the Cyprus issue.

 

Greek Cypriots headed to polling stations yesterday to elect anew 56-member parliament for a five-year term.

 

A total of 487 candidates from 10 political parties or movements participated in the elections.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2006)