Ukraine PM opposes new poll move

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Ukraine's PM Viktor Yanukovich has denounced Wednesday's order issued by President Viktor Yushchenko to hold elections in two months time.

"Both the previous decree to dissolve parliament and the decree issued by the Ukrainian president are unconstitutional," his aide said.

Mr Yushchenko postponed the date of the parliamentary elections after street protests and opposition from critics.

He said the new June date would give election officials more time to ready.

'Astonishing'

Mr Yushchenko sparked a crisis this month when he dissolved parliament and called the snap elections, originally for 27 May, but now for 24 June.

He has accused the ruling coalition of trying to poach lawmakers to reach the 300 seats in parliament needed to change the constitution.

This is the sole way to instil a measure of responsibility in Ukrainian politicians Victor Yushchenko

Mr Yanukovych and his party have opposed the election call from the outset.

They have blocked funds for the polls while they await a decision on the legality of the original decree from the constitutional court.

Mr Yanukovich's aide, Sergei Levochkin, told Russian media on Thursday: "The previous decree dissolving parliament and the decree which the Ukrainian president published on April 26 are unconstitutional."

A spokesman for Mr Yanukovych described the president's new decree as "astonishing" given that new talks to find a way out of the impasse had begun on Wednesday.

Mr Yushchenko announced the delay in a televised address late on Wednesday.

"With the aim of conducting the elections in the appropriate manner and for a democratic solution to Ukraine's problems, I am signing a decree setting the early election for June 24," he said.

"This is the sole way to instil a measure of responsibility in Ukrainian politicians before each one of you. You are the true source of power," he told viewers.

The BBC's Helen Fawkes in Kiev says analysts believe the delay is a conciliatory gesture to critics and opposition.

The president and prime minister have been rivals since the 2004 Orange Revolution which swept Mr Yushchenko to power, overturning a Yanukovych election victory which was widely condemned as fraudulent.

Mr Yushchenko accepted Mr Yanukovych as prime minister last year, but the country has been beset by political deadlock since.