Radical reformer Boris N. Yeltsin triumphed over opposition from Mikhail Gorbachev to win on Tuesday the presidency of the largest Soviet republic in what he called "Russia's social, economic and spiritual rebirth."
After three ballots in the 1,060-member Russian Congress of People's Deputies, Yeltsin won 535, four more than the majority he needed. Russian Premier Alexander Vlasov received 467 ballots.Yeltsin now poses a substantial challenge to Gorbachev, who retains the two most powerful jobs in the country: president of the Soviet Union and general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party.
However, Vitaly Churkin, Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze's principal adviser on foreign affairs, said Yeltsin's election could strengthen Gorbachev's campaign for economic reforms.
"I think . . . the election of Mr. Yeltsin . . . might actually help Gorbachev because Gorbachev is for radical reform, and he needs more popular support for that," Churkin said on NBC's "Today" program.
"And Mr. Yeltsin has assured people that if elected he is going to cooperate with Mr. Gorbachev. That might generate more popular support for more radical economic reform, which President Gorbachev has been advocating."
After the result was announced in the Grand Kremlin Palace, the burly 59-year-old Yeltsin strode to the podium, received warm applause and cheers from fellow lawmakers, and was handed a bouquet of flowers.
Yeltsin said he felt "a certain satisfaction, but at the same time, I have much more a feeling of responsibility at this turning point for Russia and the country."
"I pledge not to spare anything - health or time - to do everything to get out of this crisis and lead Russia to better times," Yeltsin said in his victory speech.
He called the day "the beginning of the road to Russia's social, economic and spiritual rebirth, the way out of the crisis and toward the blossoming of Russia as a sovereign, independent government in the framework of our union."
Gorbachev actively opposed Yeltsin's election, telling the Russian Congress last week that his platform of moving political and economic power from central to local authorities would lead to a "breakup of the union."
The Russian Federation is by far the largest of the 15 Soviet republics, stretching from the Baltic Sea in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east.
As the president of Russia, Yeltsin will have a highly visible platform from which to wage his campaign for radical reforms.