Opposition Claims Victory In Ukraine

KIEV, Ukraine, Oct. 1 — Supporters of Yulia V. Tymoshenko, the former prime minister who was a leader of the Orange Revolution of 2004, claimed victory today in her comeback effort after preliminary vote tallies and exit polls appeared to show her party doing unexpectedly well in parliamentary elections.

The incumbent prime minister, Viktor F. Yanukovich, with supporters after a speech in Kiev on Monday.

Yulia V. Tymoshenko, the Ukrainian opposition leader, left, and Yuriy Lutsenko, leader of Our Ukraine, at a press today after national elections in Kiev, Ukraine.

But her chief rival, the incumbent prime minister, Viktor F. Yanukovich, would not concede, asserting that his side still had a strong chance of forming the government.

With no convincing winner in Sundays contests, the situation remained relatively unstable, especially given Ukraines recent history. Close elections in the past three years have touched off political stalemates, large-scale demonstrations, extended legal battles, back-room maneuvering and accusations of voter fraud, which have combined to leave this nation weary.

This time at least, the election itself was conducted fairly, competitively and without major problems, according to foreign observers, making it unusual for the republics of the former Soviet Union. It also contrasted with the presidential election that led to the Orange Revolution, which was annulled after the observers reported widespread malfeasance.

Still, some politicians complained on Monday that the counting was proceeding slowly, especially in areas that have tended to be loyal to Mr. Yanukovich, but it was unclear why that was occurring. President Viktor A. Yushchenko announced that he was ordering an investigation into the reasons.

Ms. Tymoshenkos party said she would become prime minister again by reaching a deal with President Yushchenko, rekindling an alliance that was triumphant in the Orange Revolution, but which later collapsed in acrimony.

With 83 percent of the votes counted on Monday, Mr. Yanukovichs party had 33 percent and Ms. Tymoshenkos had 32 percent, according to official statistics. But those numbers could change as more polling places report.

Voter preferences in Ukraine have been largely based on regional divisions, with Mr. Yanukovich winning support in the Russian-speaking east and south of the country. Ms. Tymoshenko and Mr. Yushchenko are popular in the Ukrainian-speaking west.

In the preliminary vote count, President Yushchenkos party was third, with 15 percent, and his associates indicated a willingness to reach an arrangement with Ms. Tymoshenko that would make her prime minister.

Two or three minor parties appeared to have a chance of qualifying for parliament, which could allow them to influence the choice of prime minister in the coming days, when the two main parties will try to woo them as partners.

The apparent showing of Ms. Tymoshenko, who rose to prominence in the Orange Revolution by drawing attention for her fiery speeches, was a surprise.

Opinion polls before the election showed her party trailing Mr. Yanukovichs by as much as 10 percentage points.

She declared on Sunday night that, The victory of the democratic forces is final.

On Monday, Mr. Yanukovich criticized Ms. Tymoshenko for presuming that she would be prime minister, saying that she was demonstrating her political immaturity.

Any statement regarding a victory solely on the basis of exit poll predictions is irresponsible, unpersuasive and extremely cavalier, he said.

The third-place showing of President Yushchenkos party reflected how far his popularity has slipped since the Orange Revolution, when he was poisoned by dioxin yet carried on to win the presidency over Mr. Yanukovich. Ukraine has stumbled through political turmoil since, and the public tends to hold Mr. Yushchenko responsible.

Mr. Yanukovich, whose political career was thought to be over after he lost the presidency in 2004, mounted an unexpected comeback last year with the help of an American political consultant, Paul J. Manafort. Once considered a hard-liner who favored close ties with Russia, Mr. Yanukovich, whose election President Leonid D. Kuchma tried to orchestrate in a fraudulent vote in 2004, has been campaigning as a reformer who wants to build relations with Europe.

According to exit polls, Mr. Yanukovich, did not appear to make inroads in the rest of Ukraine beyond his heartland in the east and south.

Tag Cloud

External Information

Additional Information

Where Am I?