Avakov says he sees no reason to leave interior minister's post

Avakov says he sees no reason to leave interior minister's post

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said that he intends to remain in the post he holds, as long as he has incentives for this and he feels the strength to work effectively.

"Someone should be responsible for what is happening. As soon as I find the arguments that I should not be in this position, then, believe me, neither will, nor strength, nor anything else will hold me. If I find arguments and motives to do my work and be effective, I will remain at this place," Avakov told reporters in Kyiv on November 7, after the presentation of his book entitled "Is Lenin with Us?"

As reported, on November 7, the Verkhovna Rada failed to support a measure calling for Avakov's resignation as interior minister. Only 31 parliamentarians voted (with a necessary minimum of 226 votes) for corresponding draft resolution (No. 5041). A total of 102 lawmakers voted against the proposal, and 56 abstained.

In particular, Avakov's resignation was backed by eight Bloc of Petro Poroshenko faction deputies, including the author of the bill, Serhiy Kaplin and Andriy Nemyrovsky..