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Ukraine leader calls new election Ukraine leader calls new election
(10 minutes later)
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has dissolved parliament and called a snap election. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has dissolved parliament and called a snap election, in an escalation of the country's political crisis.
Mr Yushchenko made the announcement in a televised speech after seven hours of talks with parliamentary leaders.Mr Yushchenko made the announcement in a televised speech after seven hours of talks with parliamentary leaders.
There has been a long-running power struggle between the pro-Western president and pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.There has been a long-running power struggle between the pro-Western president and pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.
Thousands of protesters have vowed to defy the president's decision, setting up tents in parks outside parliament. Analysts say the move is likely to plunge Ukraine into political turmoil.
"My actions are dictated by the strict necessity to save the state's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Mr Yushchenko said in his address to the nation. Mr Yushchenko accuses Mr Yanukovych of trying to expand his power base and usurp his power.
"It is not only my right, it is my obligation." "My actions are dictated by the strict necessity to save the state's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said in his address to the nation. "It is not only my right, it is my obligation."
He has signed a decree setting elections for 27 May.He has signed a decree setting elections for 27 May.
Correspondents say the move is likely to plunge the country into political turmoil. Supporters of Mr Yanukovych have vowed to defy the president's decision, setting up tents in parks outside parliament.
Over the weekend, tens of thousands of supporters of both factions turned out on the streets of Kiev for rival rallies.
Mr Yushchenko defeated Mr Yanukovych in the presidential election of January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution.
But he was forced to accept him as the head of government after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election.