Volodymyr Vasylyovych Rybak
Volodymyr Rybak.Biography
Born in the same city, Rybak graduated from the Department of Economy at the Donetsk State University in 1973, eventually receiving a doctor of economic sciences. He served as chairman of the city council, executive committee and mayor of Donetsk from 1993 to 2002. Rybak was co-organizer and first chairman of the Party of Regions between 1997 and 2001. Since the 2002 parliamentary elections Rybak is a member of the Verkhovna Rada.
Rybak was Vice Premier of Ukraine and Construction, Architecture and Housing and Utility minister and Vice Premier of Ukraine in the Second Yanukovych Government.
On 13 December 2012 he was elected Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada. He resigned on 22 February 2014. Citing ill health and amidst the "2014 Ukrainian revolution".
Rybak did not participate in the 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election.