NICOSIA, CYPRUS (AP) - Turkish Cypriots are voting Sunday in elections that analysts say could stifle a promising effort to reunite the ethnically divided island.
The parliamentary election will not directly affect Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who began talks with Greek Cypriots in September.
But victory for the nationalist UBP, which has led recent opinion polls, could limit Talat’s ability to negotiate a settlement that would have to be approved by a referendum.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded in response to coup by supporters of union with Greece.
The administration in the breakaway north is recognized only by Turkey. But Sunday’s election for the 50-seat assembly is being closely watched on both sides of the island as it could expose divisions among Turkish Cypriots over the prospects of unification.
Talat, 56, broke with tradition to favor a federal solution instead of the long-held Turkish Cypriot demand for a partnership of two sovereign states. His talks with the island’s Greek Cypriot President, Dimitris Christofias, have been viewed as the most promising peace effort in decades.
Talat’s opponents officially back separate sovereignty for the Turkish Cypriots. Talat’s Republican Turkish Party had 25 deputies in the last assembly, while the UBP had 16.
About 160,000 people are eligible to vote Sunday. Polls opened at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) in the breakaway north of Cyprus and close at 6 p.m. (1600 GMT).
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