Populist candidate Boris Yeltsin won the presidency of the largest Soviet republic Tuesday , overcoming opposition by Mikhail Gorbachev and declaring the start of " Russia 's social , economic , and spiritual rebirth . " Lawmakers said they believed Yeltsin gained the last few votes he needed by offering to form a coalition government with the Communist Party bloc and other parties . He said he believed he gained several voters because of a last - minute push by Gorbachev to block his election . Gorbachev reportedly urged delegates at a meeting Monday night not to vote for Yeltsin . Yeltsin won 535 votes , four more than the majority needed .
Populist reformer Boris Yeltsin won the presidency of the largest Soviet republic Tuesday, overcoming opposition by Mikhail Gorbachev and declaring the start of "Russia's social, economic, and spiritual rebirth." Lawmakers said they believed Yeltsin gained the last few votes he needed by offering to form a coalition government with the Communist Party bloc and other groups. Yeltsin said he believed he gained several voters because of a last-minute push by Gorbachev to block his election. Gorbachev reportedly urged delegates at a meeting Monday night not to vote for Yeltsin. Yeltsin won 535 votes, four more than the majority needed.