Yanukovich to try again; row over reforms

Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich said defiantly on Saturday he would take on Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko in a new election battle, a day after a court stripped him of his title of President-elect.

Allegations of electoral fraud by supporters of the Moscow-backed Yanukovich have tarnished his image and reduced his chances of beating the liberal leader in the December 26 re-run of the presidential poll ordered by the Supreme Court.

But a wrangle in parliament divided Yushchenko8217;s allies and indicated his path was still strewn with pitfalls. Yushchenko and the socialist allies who gave him crucial support in the disputed November 21 run-off, found themselves at odds over proposed reforms that would trim the President8217;s powers.

The emergency session failed to agree either this measure or reforms aimed at stopping a repetition of rigging in the re-run.