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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Deal at risk as N Cyprus votes | Deal at risk as N Cyprus votes |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Turkish Cypriots are set to vote in northern Cyprus in parliamentary elections that could hamper efforts to reunite the divided island. | Turkish Cypriots are set to vote in northern Cyprus in parliamentary elections that could hamper efforts to reunite the divided island. |
| Polls show the ruling Republican Turkish Party (CTP) trailing the right-wing National Unity Party (UBP). | Polls show the ruling Republican Turkish Party (CTP) trailing the right-wing National Unity Party (UBP). |
| The CTP backs Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who has been making progress in talks with Greek Cypriots. | The CTP backs Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who has been making progress in talks with Greek Cypriots. |
| Campaigning has focused on the peace talks, which relaunched in September last year, and the economy. | Campaigning has focused on the peace talks, which relaunched in September last year, and the economy. |
| Cyprus has been split since a Turkish invasion in 1974, that followed a brief Greek-inspired coup in Nicosia. | Cyprus has been split since a Turkish invasion in 1974, that followed a brief Greek-inspired coup in Nicosia. |
| A United Nations buffer zone - the "green line" - currently separates the two communities. The breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey, and is subject to a trade embargo. | |
| Fragile process | Fragile process |
| Mr Talat and Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias have agreed in principle on a future federal structure for Cyprus, although several issues are still to be resolved. | Mr Talat and Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias have agreed in principle on a future federal structure for Cyprus, although several issues are still to be resolved. |
| But the UBP, which recent opinion polls put several points ahead of the centre-left CTP, wants the island to remain divided and has its sights on a two-state model. | But the UBP, which recent opinion polls put several points ahead of the centre-left CTP, wants the island to remain divided and has its sights on a two-state model. |
| Analysts say a win for the UBP could make it harder for Mr Talat to negotiate. | Analysts say a win for the UBP could make it harder for Mr Talat to negotiate. |
| About 160,000 people are eligible to vote in the elections. Polls open at 0800 (0500 GMT) on Sunday and close 10 hours later. Results are expected around midnight (2100 GMT). | About 160,000 people are eligible to vote in the elections. Polls open at 0800 (0500 GMT) on Sunday and close 10 hours later. Results are expected around midnight (2100 GMT). |
| The last attempt at a negotiated solution to the Cypriot problem - in 2004 - collapsed when Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of a UN settlement plan which was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters. | The last attempt at a negotiated solution to the Cypriot problem - in 2004 - collapsed when Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of a UN settlement plan which was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters. |
| As a result, Cyprus - or the southern part ruled by Greek Cypriots - joined the European Union that year, while the north remained effectively excluded. | As a result, Cyprus - or the southern part ruled by Greek Cypriots - joined the European Union that year, while the north remained effectively excluded. |