Ukraine's parliament has rejected President Viktor Yushchenko's candidate to replace his former ally in "Orange Revolution" protests as prime minister, plunging his administration into further disorder.
Candidate for Ukrainian prime minister Yuri Yekhanurov speaks in parliament in Kiev
Yuri Yekhanurov, a middle-of-the-road technocrat and longstanding ally of the president, won 223 votes, three short of the required majority in the 450-seat assembly.
Mr Yushchenko had proposed Mr Yekhanurov to replace Yulia Tymoshenko, who had stood alongside Mr Yushchenko last year in the mass protests against electoral fraud that eventually catapulted him to the presidency.
He sacked Ms Tymoshenko in early September to end months of infighting within the government. It was not certain what step Mr Yushchenko might take after the setback.
He could propose Mr Yekhanurov a second time and hope to win more votes through negotiation, keep him on as acting prime minister or opt for a new candidate.
Mr Yekhanurov, formerly a governor in central Ukraine, fell short after four key groups abstained in the vote -- ncluding Ms Tymoshenko's allies, the Communists and two parties which fought against the president in last year's election campaign.
Mr Yushchenko had urged members to "abandon intrigues and battles" and approve Mr Yekhanurov. He also denounced a "cynical plot to destroy" his eight-month old liberal administration.