Cyprus counts down to presidential vote

Nicosia, Feb 15 (AFP) Cyprus' heated presidential election campaign winds down at midnight ahead a crucial ballot to pick a leader tasked with steering the recession-weary island away from bankruptcy. Nicos Anastasiades, 66, of the rightwing main opposition Disy party, is tipped to win Sunday's first round when just over half a million Cypriots are to cast ballots. Analysts say he could pull off a first round win if, as expected, absenteeism is high, fringe candidates do badly, and if centre-right Diko party faithful back him. "I urge you to give me a strong mandate," Anastasiades told his last major campaign rally. "Success in the first round is what this country needs, so that from Monday I can address the dangers of debt sustainability". Diko has endorsed Anastasiades but some of its supporters are uneasy about his credentials on the Cyprus issue as their party has a tough stance on peace talks with the island's Turkish-occupied north. Anastasiades' closest challenger is former health minister Stavros Malas, 45, a British-educated independent who has the support of the ruling communist AKEL party. Anastasiades, who leads Malas by 20 percentage points in polls, is seen as someone the Europe Union can do business with, while his stance on the Cyprus issue is more flexible than his rivals. First of all, however, Cyprus' next president will have to agree terms with a troika of lenders on a bailout to save the island's Greek-exposed banks and failing economy. The European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund are waiting for the election result before offering the terms for a 17 billion-euro (USD 23 billion) lifeline. Malas, who is is confident of seeing off the challenge of 52-year-old former foreign minister George Lillikas and reaching a second round next week, argues for "softer" austerity measures. President Demetris Christofias sought a bailout in June, and talks dragged on as the outgoing leader, who is not standing for re-election, resisted measures including privatisation and reopened talks with Russia on topping up a 2.5 billion-euro loan. Anastasiades supported a failed "Yes" vote for a UN reunification blueprint in 2004, even though it was rejected by Greek Cypriots, resulting in a divided island joining the EU. (AFP) ST KUN 02151856 NNNN