Hardliners sweep to victory in Turk Cypriot vote

By Simon Bahceli

NICOSIA (Reuters) - Turkish Cypriot hardliners swept to victory in parliamentary elections in northern Cyprus on Sunday in a result that could hamper peace talks with Greek Cypriots essential to Turkey's EU membership ambitions.

The two sides launched peace talks in 2008 aimed at creating a state based on the two zones -- Turkish and Greek -- that have existed since a 1974 Turkish invasion.

With 100 percent percent of the vote in, the right wing National Unity Party (UBP) clinched 44.06 percent of the vote, giving it by provisional accounts an outright majority in the 50 seat parliament. It was a stinging defeat for the ruling Republican Turkish Party (CTP), a key ally of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

The CTP, which bore the brunt of public discontent over a faltering economy and continued international isolation of the breakaway territory, took 29.25 percent of the vote.

The UBP advocates an outright two-state settlement on Cyprus, at odds with the federal model now being discussed by Talat and Greek Cypriot leader, President Demetris Christofias.

Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 after a short-lived coup by militant Greek Cypriots seeking union with Greece.

The Greek Cypriots represent Cyprus in the European Union and say they will block Turkey's admission to the EU as long as the island remains divided. Turkey is currently in entry negotiations, but there is strong resistance to Ankara's entry among several member-states.

Just under 162,000 people voted in the parliamentary elections in Northern Cyprus, recognised only by Turkey.