The official election board stated that Mehmet Ali Talat of the Pro-Reunification governing party won the election with 44 percent of the vote, while the National Unity Party of Dervis Ergolu, which is in opposition to the reunification plans had approximately 32 percent. Denktas' party the Democratic Party, which is part of the current coalition got 13.5 percent of the vote; making it impossible for one party to govern the island.
Talat said he would start work immediately to form a new government. Denktas was ready to continue the present coalition.
Talat has called for the immediate return to reunification talks with the leader of the Greek Cypriots, Tassos Papadopoulos. "We extend a hand of friendship to the Greek Cypriots to join us."
