Anastasiades wins Cyprus election

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NICOSIA, Cyprus, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Nicos Anastasiades of the right-wing Democratic Rally won a runoff presidential election in Cyprus, getting 57 percent of the vote, election officials said.

Anastasiades' nearest challenger, left-wing candidate Stavros Malas, secured 42.5 percent of the vote Sunday, the Famagusta Gazette reported.

European People's Party President Wilfried Martens, congratulating Anastasiades on the win, said Cyprus "now has a reliable president that inspires confidence in Europe."

Martens said Anastasiades "can count on the support of the EPP."

Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, said he assured Anastasiades he could count on the the European Commission "to assist Cyprus to overcome the challenges it faces."

Anastasiades will be sworn in Thursday during a special session at the House of Representatives.