The pro-Western Yuliya Tymoshenko will try to form a coalition government in the Ukraine today after she and her allies polled enough votes to oust from power the Moscow-backed party of the Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych.

With 80 per cent of the vote counted, Mr Yanukovych’s Regions Party edged into a narrow lead with 32.60 per cent, but the Tymoshenko Bloc will be able to form a coalition government with the Our Ukraine party of the President Viktor Yushchenko, after they secured 31.81 per cent and 14.94 per cent respectively.

Mr Yushchenko has called for an inquiry into the delayed counting of votes in areas which formed the stronghold of his arch rival Mr Yanukovych. “I am concerned by the delayed vote count in eastern and southern Ukraine,” he said.

“I order law enforcement bodies to start an immediate investigation into the causes and circumstances of delayed vote count reports from polling stations.”

Despite the delays, the elections were a victory for Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko, joint leaders of the 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution.

Ms Tymoshenko, famed for her golden braided hairdo, said she hoped to reach a coalition agreement within 24 hours. She is aiming to replace Mr Yanukovych as Prime Minister, a role she held briefly during the post-Orange Revolution period, before falling out with Mr Yushchenko.

The Prime Minister was today reluctant to concede defeat. He said: “Nothing confirms the Orange forces’ victory. There aren’t official results yet and to draw conclusions on exit polls is irresponsible.”

President Yushchenko said he will accept any “legal and fair” result. “I think today is a transparency and democracy examination for the prime minister,” he said on his official website, adding that he hoped the results will put an end to the conflict that broke out in the Ukraine parliament.

Power struggle

Yushchenko: President
Age: 53
Party: Our Ukraine (Orange)
Pro-Western: His face - pockmarked by dioxin poisoning - was emblem of Orange Revolution

Yanukovych: Prime Minister
Age: 57
Party: Party of Regions (Blue)
Pro-Russian: Has made stunning comeback after 2004 election farce

Source: CIA World Factbook, ukremb-japan.gov.ua

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