UNITED NATIONS, October 27 (RIA Novosti) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hopes that the early parliamentary elections held in Ukraine will help establish lasting peace and stability in the country, an official UN representative said on a briefing Monday.
"The Secretary-General is encouraged that early parliamentary elections yesterday in Ukraine took place in a generally calm and orderly manner. He commends the people of Ukraine for their participation in the polls, a testament to their determination to build a more hopeful, democratic future for their country," the representative said.
"The Secretary-General hopes this election will mark an important step towards stability, reform, rebuilding and reconciliation for a united and prosperous country… He remains confident… that this election will contribute to achieving lasting peace in Ukraine," the representative added.
Early parliamentary elections were held in Ukraine on Sunday.
With more than 70 percent of ballots currently counted, the People’s Front has gained 21.80 percent of the popular vote, and the country’s current president’s Petro Poroshenko’s Bloc is close behind with 21.46 percent, according to Central Election Commission. The parties are now working on creating a coalition.
The elections were held against the background of a serious political and economic crisis in the country. A military confrontation in Ukraine’s southeast flared up in mid-April, when the Kiev government sent troops to suppress those who refused to recognize the new leadership that came to power after a coup in February.
