The show must go on! Rada rejects election funding bill

Legislators in Ukraine have voted against a bill on ballot funding. So the battle over the early election continues.

Wednesday's vote was much anticipated by President Yushchenko as, according to the country's constitution, a law concerning any budget changes should first be approved by parliament. But, to Yushchenko's deep regret, Rada dug its heels in and rejected the bill.

The election, which is expected to be held on December 7, will cost around $US 85 million. If held, this will be the second snap election in Ukraine in the last three years.

The ballot was called by President Yushchenko following the collapse of the ruling coalition.

Despite the parties' inability to form a new union, the idea of an early election was met with strong opposition from the country's Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko.