Boris Yeltsin , the radical populist who campaigned for transformation of the Soviet economy on the principles of free enterprise , may have won a solid victory Wednesday as the first elected president of Russia . But he stressed that he is willing to work with the winner.; "I am ready to cooperate with anyone who will be elected by Russians," Gorbachev said. He appeared certain of the absolute majority of more than 50 percent cast on the first ballot , avoiding a runoff . A decisive victory would represent a distinct threat to Gorbachev , who never faced a popular vote . He could claim that he alone has a democratic right to speak for the people of the Soviet Union 's largest republic . Preliminary results from widely diverse constituencies indicate an impressive victory .
Boris Yeltsin , the radical populist who campaigned for transformation of the Soviet economy on the principles of free enterprise , may have won a solid victory Wednesday as the first elected president of Russia . He appeared certain of the absolute majority of more than 50 percent cast on the first ballot , avoiding a runoff . A decisive victory would represent a distinct threat to Gorbachev , who never faced a popular vote . He could claim that he alone has a democratic right to speak for the people of the Soviet Union 's largest republic . Preliminary results from widely diverse constituencies indicate an impressive victory .