Slim lead for Turkish Cypriot opposition

The Turkish Cypriot opposition took a slim lead today in crucial parliamentary elections that could shape the future of divided Cyprus and help define Turkey’s relations with the European Union, early election results showed.

Opposition parties support a UN-backed plan to reunify the island, which becomes a member of the EU in May whether or not it remains divided. Hardline Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash argues that the plan would lead to domination by the richer Greek Cypriot south of the island.