Cyprus elections: Nicos Anastasiades, center-right candidate, wins
President of the Democratic Rally of Cyprus (DISY) and presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades is pictured before giving a speech during a campaign meeting on February 7, 2013 in Nicosia. The first round of Cyprus’ presidential election took place on February 17.
Center-right candidate Nicos Anastasiades was elected president of Cyprus in a runoff election Sunday.
Anastasiades, who was scheduled to speak later Sunday, won a comfortable 57.5 percent of the vote versus 42.5 percent for communist-backed Stavros Malas, Agence France-Presse reported.
More from GlobalPost: Nicos Anastasiades, center-right candidate, 'ahead'
It was one of the widest margins of victory in 30 years, according to The Associated Press.
The two candidates had to enter a runoff election after Anastasiades failed to secure at least 50 percent plus one vote from ballots cast in the regular election last weekend.
More from GlobalPost: Cyprus election favorite in talks to secure bridge loan
The victory comes at a critical time for Cyprus, which is on the brink of banktuptcy.
Anastasiades favours a quick deal with foreign lenders to finalize a bailout of the Cypriot economy, according to BBC News.
Salas also supported a bailout, but opposed austerity measures.
"Everything is at stake, like it has never been before," Kyriakos Iacovides, publisher of the Cyprus Mail newspaper, told Reuters last weekend. "The country must be rebuilt, Cyprus must be rehabilitated in the EU. We need a strong leadership to rebuild the country."
The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.
Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.