KIEV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s presidential election results giving the victory to Russia-friendly Viktor Yanukovych were suspended today pending review of his rival’s appeal.
Ukraine’s Administrative Court said it would rule on Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s appeal by Feb. 25, when lawmakers had planned to inaugurate Yanukovych.
Tymoshenko has refused to concede, claiming the election was tainted by fraud. Instead of stepping down as Yanukovych prodded her, Tymoshenko ordered her Cabinet to work out a plan for economic reform for the next five years.
Tymoshenko also attacked her rival on another front, launching consultations in parliament to derail Yanukovych’s inauguration set for next week. Her campaign chief, Alexander Turchinov, said today that Tymoshenko’s faction in parliament will introduce a motion to postpone the ceremony.
Until the ruling on her appeal, the court said, it was suspending the Central Election Commission’s declaration that Yanukovych had won the Feb. 7 vote by 3.5 percentage points.
On Tuesday, Tymoshenko delivered what she said was evidence to the court, and urged a full re-count of the vote.
She asked her supporters, however, not to hold street demonstrations — as they did in what became known as the 2004 Orange Revolution.
Those pro-Western mass protests preceded a court’s overturning Yanukovych’s presidential election victory that year and ordering a rerun, which was won by Tymoshenko ally Viktor Yushchenko.
It was unclear how strong Tymoshenko’s case in the appeal may be or whether the court would be likely to give it credence. Some Ukrainian court decisions are seen as influenced by politics more than by evidence.
International observers have deemed Ukraine’s latest election free and fair, dealing a blow to her chances. U.S. President Barack Obama and other leaders already have congratulated Yanukovych.
Anna German, the vice chairwoman of Yanukovych’s Party of Regions, dismissed the court deliberations as a “mere formality.”
“These proceedings can’t overturn the obvious: The majority of Ukrainians have voted for Yanukovych,” she said. “The entire world has recognized Yanukovych’s victory.”
Analysts said that Tymoshenko’s defiance will likely force Yanukovych to call early elections to attempt to win control over parliament, which appoints the prime minister.
“If Yanukovych fails to muster a majority to force Tymoshenko out, he has a choice of being a weak president under the strong prime minister, or risk early parliamentary elections,” said Kiev-based political analyst Vadim Karasyov.
Yanukovych campaigned on promises to improve ties with Russia, which became strained as pro-Western Yushchenko sought NATO and EU membership for Ukraine.
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