Cash-strapped Cyprus took a big step towards an international bailout yesterday when the island’s voters gave the centre-right opposition leader a commanding lead in the first round of presidential elections.
Nicos Anastasiades won 45.4 per cent of the vote, just short of an outright first-round victory, raising hopes that his pro-bailout Democratic Rally party would have a strong mandate to impose austerity, push through privatisation and negotiate a deal with international lenders to rescue the island from looming bankruptcy.
He will face Stavros Malas, the Akel (Cyprus communist) party candidate, who won 27 per cent, in the February 24 run-off.
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