Cyprus election preview: Inexperienced minister goes to polls against career politician

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It’s a repeat of five years ago, when Mr Anastasiades trounced Mr Malas, riding a wave of voter anger over a near economic meltdown many blamed on the errors of the previous president, whose communist-rooted party AKEL backed Mr Malas’ candidacy. Five years later, Mr Malas, 50, is hoping to turn the tables on Mr Anastasiades, 71, presenting himself as the youthful leader who’ll give crisis-squeezed households a break. Here’s a brief look at the two candidates: THE INDEPENDENT: Stavros Mr Malas grew up in Paphos where his family moved after fleeing their village of Ayios Sergios in 1974 when Turkey’s invasion split Cyprus along ethnic lines. Mr Malas’ appeal is that he’s a relative outsider who’s not a product of Cyprus’ political machine that many voters — particularly younger ones — derisively view as corrupt and ineffectual.