KIEV, Dec. 7 ??“ Viktor Baloha, President Viktor Yushchenko??™s chief of staff, was Thursday elected as leader of Our Ukraine to supervise a major re-organization effort at the party in an attempt to boost its popularity.

Baloha was elected at a closed meeting of senior members of Our Ukraine after Yushchenko had despite a major opposition from other members of the party, people familiar with the situation said.