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Ukraine's Rada fails to push coalition talks, recesses

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Ukraine's parliament recessed until Thursday after factions failed to agree on a coalition Wednesday morning at a session that only resumed Tuesday following a six-day break.

KIEV, June 21 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine's parliament recessed until Thursday after factions failed to agree on a coalition Wednesday morning at a session that only resumed Tuesday following a six-day break.

Faction leaders agreed to resume work Thursday after the required majority of MPs failed to vote in favor of a motion from pro-presidential group Our Ukraine to sign a coalition agreement June 23.

"There is still no majority in the Supreme Rada [parliament]," said Viktor Yanukovych, leader of the largely pro-Russian Party of Regions, which won the largest share of the vote in the March 26 elections.

Coalition talks were initially held by three groups - Our Ukraine, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's bloc, and the Socialist Party. But the talks broke down, mainly over differences on the allocation of key positions, though Tymoshenko has since said that the matter has now been settled.

Our Ukraine proposed creating a "grand coalition" also involving the Party of Regions, but the idea was rejected by Tymoshenko, who is seeking an "orange" coalition with Western leaning political forces.

Our Ukraine is continuing talks with its allies in the "orange revolution," which swept liberal President Viktor Yushchenko to power in early 2005, as well as with the Party of Regions, which counts the industrial and largely Russian-speaking east of the country as its powerbase.

Speaking to reporters, Yanukovych said: "We believe the coalition must be formed today. Tomorrow morning is the deadline for announcing its formation. If this does not happen, we will start electing the Rada leadership. We believe every day is precious as the country has become tired of disorganization."

If parliament fails to forge a coalition by June 24, President Viktor Yushchenko could disband the Supreme Rada and call new elections.

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