May 20, 2009 / 10:40 AM

Ukraine official quits on Yushchenko rerun

(L-R) Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko participate in a joint EU-Ukraine "international investment conference on modernisation of Ukraine's gas transit system" in Brussels on March 23, 2009. Ukraine and Russia are at odds over gas distribution which could jeopardize European Union supplies. (UPI Photo/Mykola Lazarenko/HO)

(L-R) Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko participate in a joint EU-Ukraine "international investment conference on modernisation of Ukraine's gas transit system" in Brussels on March 23, 2009. Ukraine and Russia are at odds over gas distribution which could jeopardize European Union supplies. (UPI Photo/Mykola Lazarenko/HO) | License Photo

KIEV, Ukraine, May 20 (UPI) -- A Ukrainian official has resigned to protest President Viktor Yushchenko's decision to run for re-election, Kiev officials said.

Viktor Baloha, the chief of staff of the presidential office, said Yushchenko has no moral right to run for a second term and urged him and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to step down, a statement quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency said Wednesday.

Baloha's statement blamed Yushchenko for serious disagreements in relations with Tymoshenko that led to crises that have shaken Ukraine's political and economic situation.

Baloha criticised Yushchenko for appointing Tymoshenko prime minister for a second time, even though her first tenure was a fiasco. He claimed Ukraine will not recover in near future from the current situation.

Ukraine's presidential election has been set for Jan. 17.

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