Cyprus opposition deals blow in local elections

The main opposition party in Cyprus dealt a blow to the ruling Akel communist administration winning 26 of 38 mayoral seats in Sunday’s local elections and increasing its nationwide votes by 5 percentage points.
The Democratic Rally (Disy) took a sweeping victory in many towns increasing its municipal councilors as well, despite a generally low turnout.
Two newcomers, businessman Constantinos Yiorkadjis and technocrat Lazaros Savvides upset the turnout, by getting elected mayor of the capital Nicosia and the biggest municipality, Strovolos, respectively.
Another Disy candidate, sports journalist Zacharias Kyriakou, was elected in urban Engomi, while Andreas Louroudjiatis outpaced the favourite Nicos Cleanthous of the former coalition partner Diko to be elected mayor of the coastal town of Larnaca.
Incumbent Andreas Christou, a former Akel cabinet minister, was re-elected mayor of port town Limassol, Savvas Vergas retained his seat in Paphos and hotelier Antonis Tsokkos in Ayia Napa, while independent Glafcos Kariolou was elected mayor of the refugee town of Kyrenia, displacing all other candidates proposed by the political parties.
Analysts had predicted a low turnout, judging from the frustration of the public, especially after the deadly munitions blast in July that knocked out the island’s main power station and caused havoc to local businesses. The affect of the global economic crisis on the tourism and property markets, and the spiraling public sector deficit with the government unable to control union demands fro higher wages, caused further disappointment among the public.