Ukraine's parliament on Friday approved Viktor Yanukovych as
prime minister, ending four months of political uncertainty that
has left the country without a full-fledged government following
March parliamentary elections.
A total of 271 deputies in the 450-seat parliament backed
56-year-old Yanukovych, whose Party of Regions won the most seats
but fell short of a majority in parliament in the March
elections.
Yanukovych's parliamentary confirmation came a day after
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko nominated him to be prime
minister and signed with Yanukovych a declaration of principles to
pave the way for the formation of a coalition government.
The 27-point declaration is intended to maintain Yushchenko's
major policies, including the improvement of relations with the
European Union and the intensification of efforts to join NATO.
(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2006)
