A pillar of the system? The political phenomenon of Arsen Avakov
A pillar of the system? The political phenomenon of Arsen Avakov

Author(s): Tadeusz Iwański, Piotr Żochowski, Sławomir Matuszak, Krzysztof Nieczypor
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, Political behavior
Published by: OSW Ośrodek Studiów Wschodnich im. Marka Karpia
Keywords: Arsen Avakov; member of Volodymyr Hroysman’s cabinet; Ukrainian political scene; transition from business to politics;
Summary/Abstract: The change of government in Ukraine in 2019 has boosted the political position of Arsen Avakov, the longest-serving interior minister in the history of independent Ukraine (he has been in five consecutive governments since February 2014). He was the only member of Volodymyr Hroysman’s cabinet to remain in office following Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s presidential victory. Zelenskiy came to power demanding that the political class should be renewed and the ‘old politicians’ removed, among other things. According to some Ukrainian politicians and media outlets, Avakov is an essential and highly influential politician, a guarantor of internal stability and a possible candidate for prime minister. Over the last six years, the interior minister has built up a strong position for himself in the internal security sector (for example, he supervises the National Police and the National Guard) and has successfully neutralised attempts by other politicians to limit his power. Moreover, any talk of his dismissal is frequently viewed as a threat to the country’s stability. Avakov has a big media presence and positions himself as an experienced official, a statesman and a guardian of justice and order above the divisions that run along party lines. While maintaining control of the Interior Ministry agencies, he has become politically independent and has built up an exceptionally strong position for himself.

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