Crisis in Ukraine as Yushchenko demands strike

Election officials today declared Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych the winner of Ukraine’s presidential election, prompting opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko to call for a nationwide strike to protest what his camp contends was brazen vote fraud.

“This decision puts Ukraine on the verge of civil conflict,” Yushchenko said, calling for a transport stoppage and other strike action.

Yanukovych won 49.46% of Sunday’s vote, against Yushchenko’s 46.61%, the election commission said in announcing the final results.

Yushchenko called the commission’s final count “their latest crime”.

“With this decision, they want to put us on our knees,” he told his followers massed in Kiev’s Independence Square, as the crowd chanted: “Shame! Shame!”

“My actions to combat the current regime will be even more consistent and powerful,” Yushchenko pledged.