Cyprus Problem: TRNC Election

It seems that the result of the elections in the north are clear; Mehmet Talat looks sure to loose to Dervis Eroglu, the hard right-winger.

What does that mean for the island?  Well, Talat had been working hard for a solution to bring reunification.  Eroglu appears to have different priorities; a two-state country federation is his preference; no reunification at all.  One country, two passports.

The BBC says:

Mr Eroglu, a nationalist, supports a two-state solution.  Mr Talat is trailing with about 43%.  Mr Eroglu has already claimed victory, saying: “We will always work in co-operation with our motherland Turkey.”  Analysts say the result, if confirmed, could stall peace talks with the Greek Cypriots and have implications for Turkey’s hopes of joining the European Union.  Greek Cypriots, who are already members, could block Turkey’s membership bid.

Where we go from here isn’t clear.

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