Ukrainian factions at odds over possible early elections

Oct 11, 2008, 15:11 GMT

Kiev - Political battle lines hardened Saturday in Ukraine over an early election called by President Viktor Yushchenko.

Members of the party loyal to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko blockaded offices of the election board in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, reported the Interfax news agency. The protesting politicians called Yushchenko's planned election unconstitutional.

Yushchenko dissolved parliament Wednesday in the wake of the collapse of the governing coalition of his and Tymoshenko's parties last month. The new election was called for December 7.

Tymoshenko's supporters pointed to a ruling by a Kiev court, which seemed to block the president's powers to dissolve parliament. Yushchenko had directed Tymoshenko to prepare for the election and finance it out of government funds.

But Tymoshenko said Friday that the required 70 million euros (94.6 million dollars) was not available.

The pro-western coalition headed by Yushchenko and Tymoshenko fell apart in early September after prolonged quarrels and a fight over Ukraine's relations to Russia.

If an election is held in December, it would be the third time Ukrainians are called to vote for a legislature since that country's Orange Revolution in 2004.

Opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich, leader of the pro-Russia Regions Ukraine political party, which has its primary base in the Russian-speaking east and south of Ukraine, could be the big winner of any new election.

Yanukovich and Tymoshenko have both said Yushchenko should face election as well, if new parliamentary elections are called. Yushchenko's term is set to run through 2010.