Moscow - Both supporters and opponents of President Yeltsin have put Mr Sergei Kiriyenko's chances of confirmation as prime minister in today's Duma vote at no better than 50-50, writes Seamus Martin.
A defeat for Mr Yeltsin's candidate would mean the dissolution of parliament, elections in up to three months, and complete power for Mr Yeltsin in the meantime.
Mr Yeltsin did not appear willing to lend further impetus to his protege's campaign. The Kremlin announced that the President would not go to the Duma in person to present his candidate.
Mr Yeltsin did, however, telephone the Communist leader, Mr Gennady Zyudanov, in an attempt to obtain his backing. But the call did not appear to be a happy one and Mr Yeltsin told journalists, "Unwilling as I was I forced myself to phone Zyudanov."