Radical reformer Boris N. Yeltsin triumphed over opposition from Mikhail S. Gorbachev to win the presidency of the largest Soviet republic today in what he called ``Russia's social, economic and spiritual rebirth.'' After three hard-fought 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, Gennadi Gerasimov, spokesman for the Soviet Foreign Ministry, said Yeltsin's election could strengthen Gorbachev's campaign for economic reforms. ``Yeltsin's victory is an expression of general discontent with how things are going in the Soviet Union's biggest republic,'' Gerasimov told reporters at the United Nations in New York. ``The Soviet Union is a democracy, so we accept what the Russian parliament has decided. It may be a blessing in disguise. President Gorbachev has his critics from both the left and the right, and possibly it is better to have the election of a critic from the left,'' he said. Igor Malashenko, foreign policy advisor to the Communist Party who accompanied Gerasimov at the news conference, agreed. ``This victory of Yeltsin has been misinterpreted as a problem for Gorbachev,'' Malashenko said. ``Yeltsin is also a reformer, although he reflects concepts which are different from Gorbachev. ``In this respect I believe it (the election) can strengthen the cause of reform in the Soviet Union. Today, many people blame Gorbachev for problems and now they have another person to blame.'' After the election 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. It is home to one-half the country's 285 million people and includes Moscow. As the president of Russia, Yeltsin will have a highly visible platform from which to wage his campaign for more radical reforms than those pursued so far by Gorbachev. The victory marks an amazing comeback for Yeltsin. Less than three years ago, he was reviled in the Soviet press, attacked by party officials, rebuffed by his former mentor, Gorbachev, and considered finished politically. Gorbachev had brought Yeltsin to Moscow to head the city's Communist Party, but he was fired in 1987 after showing little reverance for party hierarchy. Yeltsin, however, made his rift with Gorbachev work for him. The popular and outspoken Yeltsin had lost the second round of voting on Saturday by just 28 votes. He lost the first round Friday with 497 ballots to 473 for Krasnodar regional Communist Party chief Ivan Polozkov. He was nominated again Monday and faced Vlasov, who had Gorbachev's support, and Valentin Tsoy, a little-known businessman from the Soviet Far East, who received 11 votes. After his election, Yeltsin walked through the Kremlin grounds with reporters and well-wishers. After passing through the Spassky Gate, he was joined by more supporters. ``Thank you! Thank you for our future!'' one man shouted. Yeltsin mounted the steps of an embankment below the Kremlin wall for an impromptu speech to supporters who rushed across the cobblestone street. To shouts of ``victory!'' Yeltsin pledged to work for a ``renewed Russia.'' The crowd pledged support. ``We're prepared to go together with him into tough times. Everyone says that,'' one crowd member, Nadezda Matveyeva said. During his campaign, Yeltsin called on the Congress to reject the Kremlin's new program for gradually transforming the country's crippled, centrally planned economy to a partial market economy. ``The Congress must take the citizens of Russia under its defense,'' he said. The reform program, which would triple the price of bread on July 1 and double the cost of other foodstuffs starting Jan. 1, caused panic buying that prompted Moscow city authorities to bar sales to non-residents of the capital. Gorbachev, who left Moscow today for a Washington summit, went on national television Sunday night to try to calm fears. But anxiety is high and the list of items being rationed is on the rise. Yeltsin has broadly outlined a plan that would more rapidly seek a transition to a market-based economy, giving more freedom to enterprises and entrepreneurs. Lawmakers said Monday they believed Yeltsin's offer of a coalition government in the republic bolstered his chances to win today's round. Discontent over the government's economic program also boosted Yeltsin's campaign, said one of his backers, lawmaker Leonid Gurevich of Murmansk. Some economists have estimated that up to 40 million people could lose their jobs as a result of the central government's reforms, expected to drive many inefficient businesses into bankruptcy. Under the three-step reform plan, to be implemented through 1995, 60 percent of state enterprises would be sold to the public sector, and controls would be lifted on 60 percent of prices.
Radical reformer Boris N. Yeltsin triumphed over opposition from Mikail Gorbachev to win the presidency of the largest Soviet republic today. After three hard-fought ballots in the 1,060-member Russian Congress of People's Deputies, Yeltsin won 535, four more than the majority he needed. Gorbachev faces a formidable challenge from Yeltsin, although a spokesman for the Soviet Foreign Ministry said the election could strengthen Gorbachev's campaign for economic reforms. Gorbachev actively opposed Yeltsin, telling the Russian Congress last week that the platform of moving political and economic power from central to local authorities would lead to "a breakup of the union."