Members of parliament will vote today the candidacy of Viktor Yanukovych, leader of pro-Russian Party of Regions, for the prime minister's job and are then expected to discuss and approve a new government, which should put an end to the political paralysis that has engulfed the ex-communist nation since the March 26 elections produced no clear winner.
There had been suggestions that Yekhanurov would be given a portfolio, but he quashed any lingering speculation today. "I was not offered anything," he said. "I said long ago that I was not going anywhere."
Yekhanurov also said he had agreed with Yanukovych, who served as prime minister under President Leonid Kuchma in 2002-2004, that if parliament approved his candidacy, they would meet Saturday to discuss the current situation.
"It will be a civilized transfer of powers," the prime minister said.
A total of 226 out of 449 Rada deputies should vote for Yanukovych's candidacy to be approved.
Yekhanurov said he had already bid farewell to current Cabinet members and left a government action plan until 2011 at his office.
