KIEV, Dec. 6 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko, after several months of hesitation, announced Tuesday he will not lead his group at an upcoming general election, a decision that will probably intensify competition among parties.

The decision suggests that Yushchenko??™s group, Our Ukraine, will most likely be led for the March 2006 election by Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov, a less popular politician.