Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party is set to convincingly win a snap parliamentary election, consolidating his political power, the BBC reports.
Exit polls suggest the Servant of the People party will have a majority in parliament – but will need a coalition partner to form a government.
Five parties look on course to clear the 5% threshold to enter parliament.
Partial official results – with 29% of the vote counted – give President Zelensky’s party 42.1%, with the pro-Russian Opposition Platform – For Life party in second place with 12.7% of the vote. However, Mr Zelensky has ruled out any coalition with it.
Speaking in Kiev after the polls closed, President Zelensky said he was inviting a party led by rock star Svyatoslav Vakarchuk to hold talks on forming a coalition.
“This was my initiative even before the election,” Mr Zelensky said.
Mr Vakarchuk’s Holos (The Voice) party has so far won 6.4% of the vote.
Mr Zelensky triumphed in April’s presidential poll – but has been unable to appoint the ministers he wants.
