As discussed in a previous post, the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus has a semi-presidential constitution. The constitution is available here.

On Sunday early legislative elections were held. The term is five years. The last elections were held in February 2005.

There is a 50-seat parliament. TRNC Info reports that the Party of National Unity (UBP) has won 44%. The following seat share is reported: UBP 26 seats, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) 15 seats, Democratic Party (DP) 5 seats, Communal Democracy Party (TKP) 2 seats, and, a new party, the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) 2 seats.

The President, Mehmet Ali Talat, is from the CTP. So, with an absolute majority for the UBP, this could lead to a period of cohabitation. Previously, or since September 2006 anyway, the government was a CTP/ORP coalition. Given the UBP favours closer ties with Turkey, whereas the CTP proposes the unification of the island, any such cohabitation could be problematic.