Yushchenko To Hold Government Talks
Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada in session (file photo) (Ukrinform)
With more than half the vote counted, the pro-Russian Party of Regions, led by former presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych, is leading with nearly 28 percent of the vote.
The bloc of former Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko is in second place, with more than 23 percent of the vote.
Yesterday, Tymoshenko called for Yushchenko to name her prime minister of a new liberal coalition to keep Moscow-backed parties out of office.
The Our Ukraine party, which backs the president, was in third place in the election results, with about 16 percent. Other parties expected to enter the 450-seat Rada include the Socialists and Communists.
(compiled from agency reports)
Yushchenko (center) with Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin (left), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (rear), and Russian President Vladimir Putin (AFP file photo)
IN WHOSE ORBIT? Just over a year ago, tens of thousands of Ukrainians led an extended public uprising that toppled the country's entrenched, pro-Russia regime. But the country remains deeply divided between the east, where ethnic Russians look toward Moscow, and the west, which yearns for deeper integration with Europe. Can Ukraine elect a legislature that represents this torn country? (more)
See also:
Moscow Silent In The Run-Up To Ukraine's Elections
Is Kyiv On Stable Path Toward Integration With World Economy?
Western Neighbors Keen To Help Transition To Democracy
Click on the image for background and archived articles about Ukraine's March 26 elections.
Click on the image to see RFE/RL's coverage of the Ukrainian elections in Ukrainian.