KIEV, June 23 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday set January 17, 2010, as the date for the country's presidential elections.

With 226 votes necessary for approval, 339 lawmakers voted for the date.

An alternative scenario for holding presidential polls on November 22, 2009 received just 42 votes.

A survey conducted by the independent pollster Public Opinion (Ukraine) Foundation earlier this month said the former prime minister and Party of Regions leader Viktor Yanukovich enjoyed the support of 26.6% of respondents.

Current Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and ex-parliamentary speaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk remain his closest rivals with 16.2% and 12.8%, respectively, according to the survey.

President Viktor Yushchenko, who has announced plans to run for a second term, polled a miniscule 1.9%.