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KIEV, Ukraine Mar 26, 2006 (ABC/AP) — A pro-Russia party of Viktor Yanukovych won the largest chunk of votes in Ukraine’s parliamentary elections, two nationwide exit polls indicated, dealing a stinging rebuke to President Viktor Yushchenko’s West-leaning administration.
Polling stations shut after 15 hours, but voters who had waited in long lines and managed to get inside before the official closing time were allowed to cast ballots, choosing from more than 45 parties that sought seats in the 450-member parliament.
Yulia Tymoshenko points as she speaks to the media in Kiev, Ukraine. Tymoshenko portrays herself as a victim of ruthless and corrupt clans, a martyr's image that along with her prowess in public speaking helped her retain strong public support in the nation of 47 million people. AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko
Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Moscow opposition leader who lost to Yushchenko in the 2004 presidential election forced by the Orange Revolution street protests, declared his party the winner. “Our victory will open a new page in the history of Ukraine,” Yanukovych said. “We are ready to work together with any political party.”
One exit poll said 33 percent of votes had gone to Yanukovych’s Party of the Regions. The poll, by Democratic Initiatives, International Institute of Sociology and Razumkov Center, said former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s bloc was second with about 23 percent and Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine party was third at under 14 percent.
The victory by Yanukovych’s party could potentially give him say over those choices, although he would not have the majority needed to act without parliamentary allies.
There were also indications Yushchenko and Tymoshenko, the flamboyant heroine of the Orange Revolution’s protests, might be willing to try to patch over their differences so they could form a governing coalition. But many analysts were skeptical that would happen.
KIEV, March 26 (Itar-Tass) – “Ukraine needs consolidation,” said Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko after he voted at a polling station for the elections to the national parliament and local bodies of self-government. “We hold honest and democratic elections for the first time,” the president said. According to his words, authorities “have done unbelievably much so that these elections should be just and democratic – starting from complete financing, – and to forming polling stations and their provision with materials and equipment”.
Ukrainian ex-premier and leader of the opposition Party of Regions Viktor Yanukovich is sure of the victory of his party. The opposition leader did not preclude a chance that Rinat Akhmetov who is within the top ten on the election list of the party, can be a new prime minister.
Yanukovich is sure that following the elections, “stability and order” will be in store for Ukraine. Speaking of the international policy in case his party comes to power, he noted that Ukraine would develop mutually advantageous cooperation with all countries. “Russian-Ukrainian relations will be excellent,” Yanukovich emphasized.
“But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.”
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President Bush’s attack and invasion of Iraq has made the proud American Eagle turn into a Captain’s parrot, repeating the same old rhetoric to the world.
Due to the high oil prices, the oil producing countries like Russia have earned a combined $300bn in the past years. The American taxpayer is not only spending cash for the high gas price, but will also pay for the Iraq war and occupation another $250bn and counting. In addition there is the real loss of life in Iraq: 100,000 deaths.
Impeach Now!
What's he thinking, or is that too much to presume?Conservatives’ new books have Bush in crosshairs
“But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.”
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Anything like this is in my opinion, good as far as it affects America.
I would rather see Pro Russia than Pro western movement in Russia. A stronger Russia means more leverage against US policies.
Apparently, not only are American elections rigged by the elite in America they were rigged in the original election which brought Viktor Yushchenko into power after he had reportedly lost and then won after American opposition to a “crooked election”.
Things were more balanced by and large in the world when Russia was strong. It provided a counter weight to American Power and American Power to Russian Power though both did awful things all over.