NICOSIA, Cyprus, April 19 (UPI) -- Turkish Cypriots elected a new rightist, pro-independence president, Dervis Eroglu, preliminary data indicated Monday.
Incumbent Mehmet Ali Talat, an independent who favored unification with Greek Cypriots, was in second place, followed by five other challengers, Turkey's Hurriyet Daily News reported.
Initial tallies showed Eroglu with 50.38 percent of votes to Talat's 42.85 percent, election officials said.
Critics of Eroglu, whose conservative National Unity Party controls parliament, warned he would derail United Nations talks on unifying the divided island of Cyprus.
In a victory speech in Nicosia Sunday night, Eroglu denied the claims.
"Negotiations will continue," he said. "In order to defend the rights of our people at the negotiating table, in order to reach an honorable, viable accord, talks will continue."
