Runner-Up Restarts Ukraine Campaign

Heading into a July runoff with President Leonid Kravchuk, former Prime Minister Leonid Kuchma on Tuesday began courting the supporters of also-rans in the first round of voting.

Final returns showed a nation polarized between the pro-Russian and industrialized east, which supported Kuchma, and the more nationalist west, which supported Kravchuk.

Kravchuk had 38% of the vote in Sunday’s balloting, while Kuchma finished second in the seven-man race with 31%. At least 50% was required to avoid a runoff.

Olexander Moroz, chairman of Parliament and former Socialist leader, came in third with 13%. Volodymyr Lanovoy was fourth with 9%.

The date for the runoff has not been set, but the head of the election commission, Ivan Yemets, said it will be no later than July 10.

Kuchma began courting Lanovoy’s supporters by saying he wants Lanovoy, an economist, to be part of his government. Lanovoy is the only candidate who proposed broad market reforms.

Kuchma supports closer ties with Russia as a cure for Ukraine’s economic malaise. The restive Crimea, part of Russia until 1954, gave Kuchma 82% of its vote. Sentiment in Crimea runs high in favor reuniting with Russia.