This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21492308

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Cyprus election: Nicos Anastasiades 'ahead' Cyprus election: Anastasiades faces run-off
(35 minutes later)
Initial exit polls in the Cypriot presidential election indicate centre-right candidate Nicos Anastasiades has won the largest share of the vote. The presidential election in Cyprus will go to a second round on 24 February after frontrunner Nicos Anastasiades fell short of the 50% needed for an outright majority.
However, it is not clear whether he polled more than the 50% needed to win in the first round and avoid a run-off. With 99% of votes counted, Mr Anastasiades, a conservative, secured 45.43%, well ahead of his nearest rival, Stavros Malas, on 26.93%.
State broadcaster CyBC said Mr Anastasiades got between 49 and 52.6% of the vote, with an average of 51.1%. Independent George Lillikas got 24.94%.
The election has been dominated by the financial crisis. Cyprus was the fifth eurozone state to ask for a bailout.The election has been dominated by the financial crisis. Cyprus was the fifth eurozone state to ask for a bailout.
The CyBC exit poll has a 1.5% margin of error, so it is far from clear whether or not Mr Anastasiades has achieved an outright victory. Initial exit polls had put support for Mr Anastasiades at an average of 51.1%, within a range of 49% to 52%.
Three other polls put Mr Anastasiades at 49-52%.
CyBC put leftist Stavros Malas on 27.3% while independent George Lilikas is thought to have 18%.
Bailout talks stalledBailout talks stalled
Shut out of the international financial markets, the cash-strapped government was forced to seek financial help after Cypriot banks suffered huge losses as a result of the restructuring of Greece's sovereign debt.Shut out of the international financial markets, the cash-strapped government was forced to seek financial help after Cypriot banks suffered huge losses as a result of the restructuring of Greece's sovereign debt.
It has requested some 17bn euros ($22.7bn; £14.6bn) from the European Union and International Monetary Fund - a small amount in comparison with other rescues but roughly equal to Cyprus's gross domestic product.It has requested some 17bn euros ($22.7bn; £14.6bn) from the European Union and International Monetary Fund - a small amount in comparison with other rescues but roughly equal to Cyprus's gross domestic product.
The BBC's Mark Lowen says that the priority for the winner of Cyprus's election will be to finalise the bailout.The BBC's Mark Lowen says that the priority for the winner of Cyprus's election will be to finalise the bailout.
Negotiations have been stalled by disagreement between the EU, IMF and the outgoing President Demetris Christofias, leader of the communist Akel party, over how to address the country's debt and who should pay.Negotiations have been stalled by disagreement between the EU, IMF and the outgoing President Demetris Christofias, leader of the communist Akel party, over how to address the country's debt and who should pay.
The new President will face pressure to restart talks with the Turkish community in the North, cut off since the island was divided in 1974, our correspondent says.The new President will face pressure to restart talks with the Turkish community in the North, cut off since the island was divided in 1974, our correspondent says.