Ukrainians Support Early Elections

A majority of Ukrainians back the opposition's demand of early elections but are about evenly split between supporters and opponents of an association agreement with the European Union, a poll showed on Monday.

The Internet survey by the TNS agency in Kiev found 51.3 percent of its 1,008 respondents -- all town or city residents -- favored bringing President Viktor Yanukovych's term to an end and calling early elections.

The 63-year-old Yanukovych, who was elected in 2010, is only due to step down in 2015 but protesters camped out in Kiev and cities across Ukraine are calling for him to resign.

The poll also found that 58 percent were in favor of early parliamentary elections.

Asked about possible prime ministers, the highest proportion -- 21.8 percent -- chose pro-opposition tycoon Petro Poroshenko and 21.6 percent picked interim cabinet chief Sergiy Arbuzov, a Yanukovych loyalist.

Ukraine's previous prime minister, Mykola Azarov, resigned last month along with the entire cabinet in a concession to the opposition following two months of protests.

Showing divisions between Ukrainians on foreign policy, 48 percent said Ukraine should reconsider its rejection of an EU partnership but 40.3 percent said it should not.

Asked if the protests should continue, 48 percent said yes and 45.1 percent said no.