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Polls only way out of Ukraine political crisis - Yushchenko aide

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KIEV, November 3 (RIA Novosti) - Elections are the only solution to Ukraine's political crisis, a senior aide to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said on Monday.

"The constitution of Ukraine provides one legitimate way out of the political crisis - extraordinary elections. The elections are the tool, rather than an end in themselves," said Andrey Kislinsky, deputy head of Ukraine's presidential administration.

Snap elections were set for December, but have been called off to allow the government to work to overcome the global financial crisis. According to the latest opinion polls, 90% of Ukrainians are against holding early parliamentary elections.

Parliament voted on Friday to approve a set of laws aimed at stabilizing the financial system in order to meet the International Monetary Fund's conditions for a $16.5 billion standby loan.

"Approval of the anti-recessionary bill can in no way be considered a sign that the ability of the Supreme Rada [parliament] to work has been restored," Kislinsky said. "The reasons for the decree on dissolving parliament have not changed. The Ukrainian parliament requires urgent improvement."

Although the anti-crisis bill was passed with the support of the president's Our Ukraine bloc and the Yulia Tymoshenko bloc, Kislinsky said it had taken two weeks and did not mean the sides had been reunited.

The president dissolved the legislature on October 9 after political groups failed to form a new government following the collapse of the ruling coalition of parties supporting the president and the prime minister.

Yushchenko's decree dissolving parliament to make way for an early vote was fiercely opposed by his former ally Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her supporters.

Yushchenko and Tymoshenko, leaders of the 2004 "Orange Revolution," have drifted apart over a host of issues, including Russia's war with Georgia in August. Both are expected to run for president in 2010.

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