In spite of the massive manipulation and targeted use of administrative resources well in advance of the election day, the parliamentary elections produced a strong opposition. The former governing party, the Party of Regions (PR) led by President Viktor Yanukovych, did emerge as the strongest force, but was weakened. The objective of a two-thirds majority was clearly missed. The surprise winner was without doubt the right-wing national party Svoboda, which was able to enter the Verkhovna Rada for the first time, with 10.44 per cent.
