Ukrainian PM’s party taking lead in parliament elections

Ukraine's Prime Minister and Regions Party leader Viktor Yanukovich holds his ballot before casting his vote during the parliamentary election at a polling station in Kiev September 30, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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    KIEV, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Party of Regions led by Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich has taken lead in the early parliament elections, surpassing Yulia Tymoshenko's bloc and President Viktor Yushchenko's party, according to exit polls.

    Five parties have entered the parliament, the Rada, in the general elections which started earlier Sunday.

    The Party of Regions won 34.5 percent of votes, Tymoshenko's bloc won 30.4 percent, the pro-presidential Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defense won 14.4 percent while the Communists won 5.2 percent and the Lytvin bloc, 4 percent, Interfax news agency cited the PBSU.S. exit poll.

    Some 20 political parties and blocs were running for the 450 seats in Ukrain's national parliament.

    The pro-Western President Yushchenko and his ally in the "Orange Revolution", former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko were expected to establish a coalition in the parliament.

Ukraine's opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko smiles during a news conference in Kiev September 30, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko (C) casts his vote, while his wife and dauthger stand beside, in a polling station in Kiev, Ukraine, Sept. 30, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)
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