Yushchenko Nominates Rival For Prime Minister

Viktor Yanukovych is set to become prime minister again (file photo) (epa)

KYIV, August 3, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has formally nominated his pro-Russian rival Viktor Yanukovych as the country's prime minister.

Yushchenko, in a televised address earlier today, said he made the decision after Yanukovych, a former prime minister, agreed to back a national-unity declaration that safeguards the president's moves toward closer Ukrainian integration with Western Europe and free-market reforms.

"Following from what I have said, I have made the decision to put forward Viktor Yanukovych for the post of Ukraine's prime minister," Yushchenko said. "By this I want to once again stress that I understand the whole complexity in the east and the west of Ukraine, regarding this nomination for the post of prime minister. I call on the country to understand that today we have a unique chance to realize all that we talked about, and to bring the country together for a political understanding."

In making his decision to nominate Yanukovych, Yushchenko rejected his other option of dissolving parliament and calling new elections.

Yanukovych is now expected to lead a coalition government backed by a parliament majority of his Party of Regions, the Socialists, and the Communists.

Yushchenko's decision is aimed at ending four months of political uncertainty following elections in which no party won a majority of parliament seats.

Parliament is expected to vote on Yanukovych's nomination later today.

(RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, with agency reports)