Nikolay Azarov
Ukraine- Early Life and Education
- Career in Science and Industry
- Political Career in Ukraine
- Government Service
- Return to Politics
- Premiership
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
Nikolai Yanukovych Azarov was born on December 17, 1947, in Kaluga, Russian SFSR. In 1971, he graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in geology and geophysics.
Career in Science and Industry
From 1971 to 1976, Azarov worked at the Tulaugol Combine. In 1976, he joined the Research and Design Institute of Coal in Moscow Oblast. In 1984, he moved to Donetsk, Ukraine, where he held various positions at the Ukrainian State Research and Design Institute of Mining Geology, Geomechanics, and Mine Surveying.
Political Career in Ukraine
After Ukraine's independence, Azarov became involved in politics. In 1992, he was a co-founder of the Civil Congress of Ukraine. In 1993, he became head of the Labor Party of Ukraine, which later merged into the Party of Regional Revival "Labor Solidarity of Ukraine." In 2001, he was elected the first chairman of the Party of Regions (PR).
Government Service
From 1996 to 2002, Azarov served as head of the State Tax Administration of Ukraine. In 2002, he became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in Viktor Yanukovych's first government. He held this position until the Orange Revolution in 2004-2005, during which he served as acting Prime Minister.
Return to Politics
After the Orange Revolution, Azarov was elected to the Verkhovna Rada in 2006 and became chairman of the parliamentary budget committee. From 2006 to 2007, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in Yanukovych's second government.
Premiership
Following the PR's victory in the 2010 presidential election, Azarov was appointed Prime Minister on March 11, 2010. He served as Prime Minister until 2014, when he resigned amid the Euromaidan protests.
Personal Life
Azarov is married and has a son. He is the author and co-author of over 112 scientific works and is proficient in Ukrainian, Russian, and English.
