Cyprus elects its 1st-ever female parliament speaker

Cyprus has elected its first female parliamentary speaker since its founding as an independent republic in 1960

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Lawmakers in Cyprus on Thursday elected a woman to the country's second most powerful political post for the first time since its founding as an independent republic in 1960. Annita Demetriou was elected parliamentary speaker on the second ballot with 25 votes in the 56-seat parliament. The choice seen as a major step in leveling the political playing field for women in the divided eastern Mediterranean island, who have been traditionally under-represented in politics. The 35-year-old lawmaker said that she assumes the post “with a deep sense of responsibility" and pledged to work with “impartiality and objectivity." Political leaders and colleagues praised Demetriou, the only female among other six other male rivals for the position.