KIEV, Feb. 20 – In a surprising twist, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on Saturday has withdrawn her lawsuit disputing presidential election, a move that opens way for President-elect Viktor Yanukovych’s inauguration on February 25.

Tymoshenko, the defeated candidate, said she decided to withdraw after the High Administrative Court of Ukraine refused to consider “evidence” that she had thought was important.

“Under such conditions, we simply see no sense in continuing to pursue the case,” Tymoshenko said. “We are withdrawing the lawsuit.”

The court rejected Tymoshenko’s reasoning for the withdrawal of the lawsuit, but after five hours of consideration has decided to accept the fact of the withdrawal, and closed the case.

The end of the legal process disputing the February 7 presidential election is a relief to Yanukovych, lifting final obstacle on the way of his inauguration on February 25.

The withdrawal, while apparently leaving the claims of rigged election intact, allow political room for Tymoshenko to question legitimacy of Yanukovych’s victory in the future.

“I was not defeated,” Tymoshenko said. “Defeated were those who believe that false presidents can be confirmed through judicial system.”

Analysts said the issue was turning from being legal to being political.

“As a result of the case, the lawsuit turned from being a legal issue to being a political issue,” one Kiev-based political commentator said.

Yanukovych on February 14 was officially certified by the Central Election Commission as the winner of the presidential election.

Returns certified by the Central Election Commission gave Yanukovych a margin of 887,909 votes, or about 3.5% of the total, over Tymoshenko.

Yanukovych collected support from 12.48 million voters, or 48.95% of the total, compared with Tymoshenko’s 11.59 million votes, or 45.47%, according to the commission. At least 4.36% voted against both candidates, a legal option in Ukraine.

President Viktor Yushchenko on Saturday called Yanukovych to congratulate him with the victory at the presidential election, according to the presidential press service. He called on Yanukovych to work to consolidate the country.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who again called Yanukovych to congratulate with a “complete, final, legally confirmed and internationally recognized victory,” the Kremlin reported. Medvedev invited Yanukovych to visit Moscow in early March. (tl/ez)