Victory of opposition candidate Victor Yushchenko in 26 December repeat of flawed November presidential election brought peaceful conclusion to month- long political crisis, though challenges remain ahead. Official results gave Yushchenko 52% of vote, with former PM Victor Yanukovich receiving 44%. International observers declared vote considerably more free and fair than previous poll. Yanukovich filed complaints with election commission and Supreme Court alleging election-day violations, but claims dismissed; later resigned as PM, said would appeal Supreme Court decision despite having little hope of success.

Political crisis gripped Ukraine after initial results of 21 November runoff presidential election had PM Viktor Yanukovych victorious over Western- oriented rival Viktor Yushchenko. Thousands demonstrated in Kiev to protest rigged results, declared fraudulent by international observers, U.S. and EU. Riot police on standby in Kiev but protests so far peaceful. Counter-protests staged eastern Ukraine. Tension between mainly pro-Yushchenko Ukrainian-speaking western regions and mainly pro- Yanukovych Russian-speaking eastern and southern regions, raising fears of civil war or possible division of country. Eastern regions threatened to secede if Yanukovych not declared president. Yushchenko called for repeat vote to be held 12 December under OSCE supervision; broke off talks 30 November. Parliament voted to oust Yanukovych government 1 December, as international mediators arrived in bid to defuse situation.