Populist reformer Yeltsin won the presidency of the largest Soviet republic Tuesday , overcoming opposition by Boris Yeltsin and declaring the start of " the Russian Federation's '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 Russian Congress bloc and other groups. Yeltsin said he believed he gained several voters because of a last-minute push by Gorbachev to block his election. Vitaly Churkin, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze, said on NBC that Yeltsin's election ``might actually help Gorbachev because Gorbachev is for radical reform, and he needs more popular support for that.'' Gorbachev reportedly urged delegates at a meeting Monday night not to vote for Yeltsin . Yeltsin won 535 votes, 535 more than the majority needed.
Populist reformer Yeltsin won the presidency of the largest Soviet republic Tuesday , overcoming opposition by Boris Yeltsin and declaring the start of " the Russian Federation's '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 Russian Congress 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, 535 more than the majority needed.