Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko won overwhelming approval today for his appointment of radical Ms Yulia Tymoshenko as prime minister of a reformist government.
Ms Tymoshenko, who charmed crowds alongside the new president at protests which helped put her in power, told parliament she would make government accountable and uphold ties with Russia but also vowed to move "quickly and honourably" toward Europe.
Deputies in the 450-seat chamber endorsed her by 379 votes to zero. She immediately read out the list of Mr Yushchenko's cabinet nominees, all prominent reformers committed to preparing the ex-Soviet state for European Union membership.
Mr Yushchenko said before the vote he trusted Ms Tymoshenko "just as millions of people trust her". He understood an honest government amounted to a "fantasy" for most Ukrainians after 10 years of scandals under his predecessor, Mr Leonid Kuchma.
"In this country, problem No 1 has been corruption, starting from the top," Mr Yushchenko told the chamber.
"I will take no bribes, I will not steal. I demand the same thing of my government. My government will not take bribes. It will bring no cash to parliament to win approval of laws."
He also restated pledges to bring order to privatisations often conducted in suspicious circumstances, referring directly to the sell-off last year of the giant Kryvoryzhstal steel mill.
"Sites that were stolen will be returned to the state, starting with Kryvoryzhstal," he said.
Ms Tymoshenko braid, promised after the vote she would not disappoint the people or its president.
"There could be some shortcoming or other on technical issues, but I will maintain moral standards so high that no one will be able to say later that they were mistaken today. We will build such a team that Ukraine will sparkle like a diamond."