KIEV, UKRAINE — Ukrainians have overwhelmingly voted in several pro-Western parties in a landmark parliamentary election Sunday, another nudge in the former Soviet nation’s drift away from Russia.
Two exit polls released as voting closed indicated that President Petro Poroshenko’s party will secure a narrow win in the parliamentary election, falling substantially short of an outright majority. Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Popular Front followed closely.
Although they lead rival parties, Poroshenko and Yatsenyuk share pro-Western postures and have campaigned on reform agendas aimed at pulling Ukraine back from the brink of economic ruin. The parties are expected to join forces with similarly reform-oriented groups to form a broad pro-European coalition.
Poroshenko said coalition talks will start Monday.
Almost 3 million people were unable to vote in eastern regions still gripped with unrest as government troops continue to wage almost daily battles against pro-Russian separatists.
The vote on Sunday will substantially overhaul a legislature once dominated by loyalists of ousted former President Viktor Yanukovych.
