Cyprus’ Ex-Foreign Minister, President Face Runoff Vote

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Former Foreign Minister George Iacovou will face incumbent President Glafcos Clerides next Sunday in a runoff election for president of Cyprus after neither candidate won a majority in Sunday’s first round of voting. Iacovou edged ahead with 40.6% of the vote, a razor-thin margin over Clerides, who received 40.1%.

In the campaign, seven candidates wooed the electorate with promises of trying to resolve Cyprus’ decades-old division and steer the island closer to membership in the European Union.

Cyprus, its ethnic Greeks and Turks divided since a Turkish invasion in 1974, is to start entry talks with the 15-member organization in April.

Both Iacovou, 59, and Clerides, 78, a veteran rightist seeking a second five-year term in office, will need support from smaller parties to win next weekend.

Socialist leader Vassos Lyssarides, who garnered 10.4% of the vote, is emerging as the obvious target for both candidates. “We are fully aware of our responsibility to the people,” a beaming Lyssarides told reporters after the votes were counted.