The Party of the Regions, led by ex-premier, Viktor Yanukovych, took first place in Ukraine's parliamentary election with 32.12 percent of the vote after all ballots were counted, officials said in Kiev Thursday.

 

Yulia Tymoshenko's bloc was in second place with 22.27 percent, while President Viktor Yushchenko's Our Ukraine Party was third with 13.94 percent, the Central Election Commission said.

 

The Socialist Party, with 5.67 percent, and the Communists, with 3.66 percent, also entered the parliament.

 

With none of the five parties winning a clear majority in the 450-seat parliament, a coalition government is expected to be formed after consultations among the parties.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2006)