The Verkhovna Rada on July 15 supported the resignation of Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.
Avakov served as interior minister for 7.5 years, since February 2014, under two presidents and four prime ministers. He was often referred to as the second most powerful person in Ukraine, after the president.
Avakov filed a letter of resignation on July 13. His reasons for resignation are unknown, but President Volodymyr Zelensky’s lawmakers said it was the result of a mutual agreement between the president and Avakov.
Avakov didn’t arrive to the Verkhovna Rada to address the lawmakers before the vote, as is customary.
His resignation was supported by 291 lawmakers, including 229 lawmakers from Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, 16 lawmakers from ex-President Petro Poroshenko’s European Solidarity, 15 lawmakers from the Voice party, and independent lawmakers.
Over the years, Avakov earned a controversial reputation and became mired in corruption scandals. The police reform that took place under Avakov is largely seen as superficial and unsuccessful. High-profile cases remained unsolved. Avakov’s annual declarations revealed the vast riches he acquired despite having spent most of his life in public service.
