Ukraine's Yanukovich moves to force out Tymoshenko government

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko waves as she leaves the court building in central Kiev February 16, 2010.

KIEV (Reuters) - The party of Ukrainian President-elect Viktor Yanukovich on Friday launched moves in parliament to oust the government of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, his rival who is contesting his election.

A draft resolution "on the responsibility of the government" was published on the parliament website by a deputy of Yanukovich's Regions Party faction.

This formula normally marks the beginning of a process leading up to a parliamentary vote of no confidence.

Members of the government, and possibly Tymoshenko herself, can be expected to appear in parliament to give an account of the government's performance.

After this, a vote of deputies can be expected. It will require a simple majority -- 226 votes in the 450-seat Verkhovna Rada (parliament) -- to bring down the government.

Tymoshenko on Friday launched a court appeal against the February 7 runoff vote which Yanukovich won by the narrow margin of 3.5 percent. She says there was large-scale electoral fraud and is seeking a third round of voting.

Yanukovich, who is due to be inaugurated on February 25, has already urged her to step down as prime minister but she has refused.

(Writing by Richard Balmforth; editing by Robin Pomeroy)