Ukraine's parliament yesterday rejected President Viktor Yushchenko's candidate to replace his former ally in "Orange Revolution" protests as prime minister, plunging his administration into further disorder.

Yuri Yekhanurov, a middle-of-the-road technocrat and longstanding ally of the president, won 223 votes, three short of the required majority in the 450-seat assembly.

Yushchenko had proposed Yekhanurov to replace the fiery Yulia Tymoshenko, who had stood alongside him last year in the mass protests that eventually catapulted him to the presidency. He sacked Tymoshenko in early September to end months of infighting within the government.

It was not certain what step Yushchenko might take after the setback. He could propose Yekhanurov a second time and hope to win more votes through negotiation, keep him on as acting prime minister or opt for a new candidate.

Yekhanurov, formerly a governor in central Ukraine, fell short after four key groups abstained in the vote - including Tymoshenko's allies, the communists and two parties which fought against the president in last year's election campaign.

Yushchenko had urged members to "abandon intrigues and battles" and approve Yekhanurov. He also denounced a "cynical plot to destroy" his eight-month old liberal administration.

Yekhanurov, widely seen as a pre-election stopgap, had promised deputies he would ensure stability after a spate of poor economic results.

The scandal has battered the president's image seven months ahead of key parliamentary elections.
 
A cynical plan has been launched in Ukraine to destroy this administration," Yushchenko said as debate got under way.

"Some of those involved were in the square and some wanted to disperse those there," he said, referring to the protests.

Yushchenko said he had long backed Tymoshenko's government despite "inept" policy which led to economic slowdown and confusion over privatisation, particularly an unsuccessful attempt this month to restore state control over a metals plant.

"If we want to stabilize matters quickly and fully in Ukraine we need to approve my candidate, Yekhanurov. We need a depoliticized government," he said.

"I am certain that only a government of pragmatists can work effectively for seven months," he added, referring to the election next March.

The president had engaged in feverish negotiations to secure the necessary votes. On Monday, he met for the first time since taking office Viktor Yanukovich, his defeated rival in the re-run of last year's rigged presidential campaign.

(China Daily September 21, 2005)