The Socialists, originally part of a 243-strong pro-Western coalition, disregarding their election promises had suddenly changed camps last week in order to elect their leader, Oleksandr Moroz, as the speaker of Parliament.

The move was immediately followed by the creation of the pro-Russian coalition that had quickly indicated it would challenge the pro-Western course of Yushchenko.

???We believe this coalition is illegitimate and unconstitutional,??? Ihor Zhdanov, a top official at Our Ukraine, said. ???We are not going to join this coalition.???

The early election may eliminate the Socialist Party and the Communist Party from Parliament as their voters were likely to punish them for their unexpected alliance with the Regions Party, analysts said.

On the other hand, Our Ukraine and the Tymoshenko Bloc have been apparently considering options of joining forces for the election in order to create one pro-Western bloc that would compete with the Regions Party.

???This is a matter of talks with the Tymoshenko Bloc,??? Bezsmertniy said. ???If the talks are successful??¦ we would focus on the issue of a single election list,??? Bezsmertniy said. ???If not, the party will run separately.??? (tl/ez)