The Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960 after independence was achieved from British colonial rule, and its constitution came into force that shared power between the two major ethnic groups on the island, as established under the London and Zürich Agreements.
Fazıl Küçük became the first vice president of the country, running unopposed in the 1959 election and winning reelection in the 1968.
Rauf Denktaş ran unopposed in the 1973 election, becoming the second vice president.
Makarios III was restored upon the collapse of the military junta, but Turkish troops refused to leave the island.
The island remains divided to this day, despite the United Nations and the international community urging an end to what is considered the Turkish occupation, and urging the restoration of the recognised borders of Cyprus.