The Verkhovna Rada broke down Poroshenko by refusing to dismiss Avakov
The Verkhovna Rada today refused to support the draft resolution introduced by deputies of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc on the resignation of Arsen Avakov from the post of head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
The resolution received only 31 votes in favor, with the minimum required of 226 votes.
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The initiators of Avakov’s resignation pointed out that he failed to cope with the fight against the deterioration of the criminal situation in Ukraine.
The only faction, besides the BPP, that agreed to support Avakov’s dismissal was Samopomich.
“I couldn’t overcome corruption in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the personnel from the Yanukovych era are working. In any European country, the minister himself would have resigned,” deputy Yegor Sobolev voiced his claims.
However, other factions refused to play along with Poroshenko, even Oleg Lyashko, who was repeatedly accused of helping the presidential administration.
“This is a personal showdown, between factions, between those who call themselves a coalition. If you want a showdown, do it without us. We believe that the situation in the country will only be changed by a complete reset of the authorities,” said deputy Ivan Krulko from Yulia Tymoshenko’s party.
“We have many complaints against the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but we say that the government should all resign. It is necessary to consider the issue of mistrust in the entire government,” said deputy Igor Shurma from the Opposition Bloc.
“Most people cannot sleep peacefully and walk down the street in the evening. But the parliamentary majority is not going to protect you, Ukrainians. They compete for power. The story with Avakov, the detention of his son - all with one goal, to remove Avakov from office. The initiator of this story is President Petro Poroshenko. The goal is to win the elections in 2019, subjugating all the power structures that will cover up falsifications, abuses, and power resources. Today he heads the SBU, the Prosecutor General’s Office, he also needs the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” said deputy Oleg Lyashko.
Avakov's fellow party members from the Popular Front called him the main savior of Ukraine from the Russian Spring.
“In 2014, the police were hated by the majority in the country. The separatists tried to tear the country apart. There was practically no law enforcement system. What did Avakov do? He saved Kharkov, the second largest city in the country. He decided to storm the Kharkov Regional State Administration, stopping the spread of the Russian Spring of 2014... Avakov organized volunteer battalions, created the National Guard, these forces defended Ukrainian independence,” MP Maxim Burbak listed the minister’s advantages.
The Verkhovna Rada has thwarted Poroshenko by refusing to dismiss Avakov.