Pro-West blocs win parliamentary elections in Ukraine

Moscow, Oct 6 (UNI) Pro-West blocs have gathered enough votes in the parliamentary elections to form a coalition government in Ukraine.

The bloc led by Yulia Tymoshenko and President Viktor Yushchenko will have slightly more than half the seats in parliament, the count indicates, Russian news agencies reported.

Russian-leaning Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's party won the largest share of the votes and could gain some cabinet posts.

In the September 30 parliamentary elections, five blocs made it to the Supreme Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, with the pro-Russian Party of Regions headed by Yanukovych leading with 34.32 per cent.

Its arch-rival, the Yulia Tymoshenko bloc, gained 30.71 per cent, followed by the other Western-leaning bloc, the pro-presidential Our Ukraine - People's Self-Defence bloc, with 14.15 per cent.

Voter turnout in the election was 62.38 per cent.

Since none of the parties can claim a majority of 226 seats in the new 450-member parliament, consultations are currently underway to form a coalition government.

The Tymoshenko bloc and the Our Ukraine - People's Self-Defence bloc- have confirmed their intentions to form a coalition, Yulia Tymoshenko's press service said.

''The parties have confirmed the agreement signed earlier to establish a coalition of democratic forces in parliament,'' the two blocs said in a statement after the negotiations.

Yushchenko had dismissed the parliament in April and called snap elections, accusing Yanukovych of ''usurping power.'' The long-time political foes agreed on the September 30 elections following months of litigation and street rallies.

UNI