Cyprus opposition leader most popular

Cyprus opposition leader Nicos Anastassiades is the most popular politician in the Republic of Cyprus, according to a poll carried out by daily newspaper Politis.

The poll, which was done online but in such a way that it prevented repeat votes, was carried out between December 29, 2005 and January 7, 2006 and asked voters to choose among seven candidates as well as ‘none’.

The largest share of the vote cast for a person went to Anastassiades who led with 23% of the vote or 414 votes cast. A close second was the President, Tassos Papadopoulos, with 21% or 372 votes.

Demetris Christofias, the leader of the communist AKEL party, the main coalition party in government, fared badly, with only 11% of the vote or 109 votes cast.

Demetris Syllouris, leader of newly formed European Party, won 6% of the vote (109 votes).

Georgos Perdikis, leader of the Greens won 3% (52 votes), Michalis Papapetrou, lead of EDI, won 3% (45 votes), while EDEK leader Yiannakis Omirou came bottom with 2% (35 votes).

However, the largest share of the vote, at 31% or 546 votes, went to ‘no one’.