The main opposition party in Cyprus claimed victory in parliamentary elections Sunday, amid criticism over the government's handling of peace negotiations with the Turkish-governed north of the island.

After 99 percent of votes had been counted, the right-wing Disy had won 34.3 percent of the vote, up from 30.3 percent on elections in 2006.

With 32.7 percent, the communist Akel party of President Dimitris Christofias actually improved on its share of the vote - up 1.4 percent. The party's coalition partner Diko lost ground to Disy, down from 17.9 percent to 15.8 percent.

Under the Cypriot presidential system, Christofias' term in office does not end until February 2013. Opposition gains, however, are expected to put pressure on him to change course in reunification talks with the north.

Leaders of opposition parties have accused Christofias of making too many concessions in the talks, which have made little progress since starting in 2008.

Presidency plan criticized

Most controversial was the proposal of a rotating presidency with Turkish Cypriots under a federal system, which conservatives said had been offered too readily.

Christofias is set to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in Geneva in July for United Nations backed peace talks that had originally been scheduled for April.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon postponed the meeting, expressing frustration about a perceived the lack of progress in the talks.

The coalition has also been criticized over slow economic growth and rising unemployment.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north, after Turkey invaded the north of the island following a Greek-inspired coup.

Author: Richard Connor (AP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Martin Kuebler