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Orange allies 'lead' Ukraine vote Orange allies 'lead' Ukraine vote
(about 2 hours later)
Ukraine's Orange Revolution allies say they are ready to form a government as exit polls suggest they have won a slim majority in the new parliament.Ukraine's Orange Revolution allies say they are ready to form a government as exit polls suggest they have won a slim majority in the new parliament.
Combined votes for the parties of Yulia Tymoshenko and President Viktor Yushchenko give them a narrow lead over Russian-leaning PM Viktor Yanukovych.Combined votes for the parties of Yulia Tymoshenko and President Viktor Yushchenko give them a narrow lead over Russian-leaning PM Viktor Yanukovych.
But Mr Yanukovych has refused to accept defeat, pointing out that his party had emerged as the largest single group.But Mr Yanukovych has refused to accept defeat, pointing out that his party had emerged as the largest single group.
The snap election was the third national poll in three years.The snap election was the third national poll in three years.
It was called in an attempt to resolve a long-running power struggle between Mr Yushchenko and Mr Yanukovych.It was called in an attempt to resolve a long-running power struggle between Mr Yushchenko and Mr Yanukovych.
I believe no-one can diminish or deny the victory Ukraine has scored Yulia Tymoshenko Q&A: Ukrainian electionI believe no-one can diminish or deny the victory Ukraine has scored Yulia Tymoshenko Q&A: Ukrainian election
Mr Yanukovych's party took 35.3% of Sunday's vote, with Ms Tymoshenko's bloc second on 31.5%, exit polls suggest.Mr Yanukovych's party took 35.3% of Sunday's vote, with Ms Tymoshenko's bloc second on 31.5%, exit polls suggest.
The party of Mr Yushchenko's supporters won 13.5%, but is expected to form a coalition with Ms Tymoshenko.The party of Mr Yushchenko's supporters won 13.5%, but is expected to form a coalition with Ms Tymoshenko.
The coalition horse-trading after last year's parliamentary elections took months and plunged Ukraine into political turmoil which helped trigger the latest snap poll.The coalition horse-trading after last year's parliamentary elections took months and plunged Ukraine into political turmoil which helped trigger the latest snap poll.
Power strugglePower struggle
Just over 60% of the 37.5m eligible voters cast their ballots, the electoral commission said.Just over 60% of the 37.5m eligible voters cast their ballots, the electoral commission said.
Mr Yanukovych refuses to yield defeat before official resultsCelebrating the exit poll results, former PM Ms Tymoshenko, sporting her trademark braid, told reporters: "I believe no-one can diminish or deny the victory Ukraine has scored.Mr Yanukovych refuses to yield defeat before official resultsCelebrating the exit poll results, former PM Ms Tymoshenko, sporting her trademark braid, told reporters: "I believe no-one can diminish or deny the victory Ukraine has scored.
"Everything will work out. In a matter of weeks we will hold our first government news conference.""Everything will work out. In a matter of weeks we will hold our first government news conference."
Mr Yushchenko's party, Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defence (OU-PSD), struck a last-minute deal before the election to form a coalition with the Tymoshenko Bloc.Mr Yushchenko's party, Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defence (OU-PSD), struck a last-minute deal before the election to form a coalition with the Tymoshenko Bloc.
Under the deal, Ms Tymoshenko would become prime minister.Under the deal, Ms Tymoshenko would become prime minister.
But as results were coming in, Mr Yanukovych refused to yield ground.But as results were coming in, Mr Yanukovych refused to yield ground.
"This significant support from the Ukrainian people... gives cart blanche to the Party of Regions to form a new, successful government," he said. "This significant support from the Ukrainian people... gives carte blanche to the Party of Regions to form a new, successful government," he said.
His supporters are preparing to hold what they describe as a victory rally in Kiev.His supporters are preparing to hold what they describe as a victory rally in Kiev.
Mr Yanukovych's power base is in the largely Russian-speaking south-east, while the Orange parties enjoy support in western and central regions.Mr Yanukovych's power base is in the largely Russian-speaking south-east, while the Orange parties enjoy support in western and central regions.
InfightingInfighting
Mr Yanukovych could attempt to form a coalition with his allies in the Communist Party of Ukraine, which won 5.1% of votes, and with ex-parliament speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn's bloc, which won 3.8%, according to the exit polls.Mr Yanukovych could attempt to form a coalition with his allies in the Communist Party of Ukraine, which won 5.1% of votes, and with ex-parliament speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn's bloc, which won 3.8%, according to the exit polls.
Ukrainian voters contemplate the aftermath of yet another election.In picturesUkrainian voters contemplate the aftermath of yet another election.In pictures
But Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko together would still have enough of seats to secure at least 226 seats - a wafer-thin majority in the 450-seat parliament, exit polls suggest.But Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko together would still have enough of seats to secure at least 226 seats - a wafer-thin majority in the 450-seat parliament, exit polls suggest.
The pair led the 2004 pro-democracy street protests - dubbed the Orange Revolution - that swept them both to power.The pair led the 2004 pro-democracy street protests - dubbed the Orange Revolution - that swept them both to power.
But the relationship between OU-PSD and the Tymoshenko Bloc has been fraught over the past three years.But the relationship between OU-PSD and the Tymoshenko Bloc has been fraught over the past three years.
The president made Ms Tymoshenko his prime minister in 2005, but their government was brought down by infighting.The president made Ms Tymoshenko his prime minister in 2005, but their government was brought down by infighting.
Mr Yushchenko and Mr Yanukovych were rivals in the 2004 presidential poll.Mr Yushchenko and Mr Yanukovych were rivals in the 2004 presidential poll.
Mr Yanukovych won the initial poll, but the result was annulled over claims of mass vote rigging.Mr Yanukovych won the initial poll, but the result was annulled over claims of mass vote rigging.
Orange-clad campaigners won a peaceful campaign for fresh elections and Mr Yushchenko triumphed in the re-run.Orange-clad campaigners won a peaceful campaign for fresh elections and Mr Yushchenko triumphed in the re-run.
But Mr Yanukovych made a comeback as prime minister in March 2006 and the two enemies grudgingly shared power.But Mr Yanukovych made a comeback as prime minister in March 2006 and the two enemies grudgingly shared power.