Alexander Tkachov (politician)

Aleksandr Nikolayevich Tkachov (Russian: Алекса́ндр Никола́евич Ткачёв) (born 23 December 1960) is a Russian politician who has served as Minister of Agriculture of Russia in Dmitry Medvedev's Cabinet from April 2015 to May 2018. Previously he was Governor of Krasnodar Krai in the southern European part of Russia from 2001 to 2015.

Aleksandr Nikolayevich Tkachov
Александр Николаевич Ткачёв
Minister of Agriculture
In office 22 April 2015 – 7 May 2018
President	Vladimir Putin
Prime Minister	Dmitry Medvedev
Preceded by	Nikolay Fyodorov
Succeeded by	Dmitry Patrushev
6th Governor of Krasnodar Krai
In office 5 January 2001 – 22 April 2015
Preceded by	Nikolai Kondratenko
Succeeded by	Veniamin Kondratyev
Deputy of the State Duma from Krasnodar Krai
In office 17 December 1995 – 5 January 2001
Constituency	Tikhoretsk
Personal details
Born	(1960-12-23) 23 December 1960 Vyselki, Krasnodar Krai, USSR
Nationality	Russian
Political party	United Russia
Other political affiliations	Communist
Spouse(s)	Olga Tkachyova
Children	Tatiana Lyubov
Alma mater	Krasnodar Polytechnic Institute Kuban State Agrarian University
Profession	Mechanical engineer

Biography

Tkachov was born in 1960 in Vyselki, Krasnodar Krai. He was elected to Krasnodar Krai's legislative assembly in 1994. Subsequently, he was elected to the State Duma of Russia in 1995 and re-elected in 1999. He was elected as Governor of Krasnodar Krai on 3 December 2000, and was re-elected on 14 March 2004. He is a graduate of the Krasnodar Polytechnic Institute.[1] The Financial Times describes him as one of Vladimir Putin's "most loyal lieutenants".[2]

Tkachyov has been an advocate for building a dam across the Kerch Strait, between Krasnodar Krai and Ukraine.[3] Tkachyov is also known for his strong stand against illegal immigration in Russia. Some commentators interpret his remarks as racist, particularly against the Meskhetians.[4]

In 2008, he made headlines when he expressed his frustration about the progress of the construction projects for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Arguing that construction bosses and local politicians were "careless" and "indifferent" about the task ahead, the successful Olympics bid would be transferred to another part of Russia if no significant progress were made, constituting a large economic opportunity forgone.[5]

On 2 August 2012, Tkachyov announced plans to deploy a paramilitary force of Cossacks in Krasnodar Krai beginning in September 2012 as vigilantes to discourage internal immigration by Muslim Russians. In a speech to police he stated, "What you can't do, the Cossacks can. We have no other way — we shall stamp it out, instill order; we shall demand paperwork and enforce migration policies."[6]

On 22 April 2015, Vladimir Putin named him as the Minister of Agriculture in Dmitry Medvedev's Cabinet, replacing Nikolay Fyodorov, who was promoted to work in the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation.

In October 2017, Putin laughed off his proposal of exporting pork to Indonesia during a cabinet meeting, a predominately Muslim country where people do not consume pork.[7] Putin explained to the minister that "Indonesia is a Muslim country hence its people do not eat pork." Tkachov replied “they will.” Putin then said: “No, they will not.” Later he burst into laughter and Tkachov clarified that he meant South Korea rather than Indonesia.[8]

Awards and honours

In 2014, Tkachov was awarded the Paralympic Order.[9]

Photos

• 
  Tkachyov at a meeting with then-President Dmitry Medvedev, 2008
• 
  Vladimir Putin with Tkachyov at the ski resort Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, 3 January 2013
• 
  Tkachyov and Ramzan Kadyrov

References

1. "Russia Profile - BackGround People - TKACHEV, Alexander Nikolayevich". russiaprofile.org. Archived from the original on 2008-10-13.
2. Jack Farchy; et al. (18 December 2014). "Vladimir Putin predicts Russian rebound to take 2 years". ft.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2005-12-05. Retrieved 2006-02-14.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. "FSU Monitor". fsumonitor.com. Archived from the original on 2006-05-08.
5. "Sochi's mixed feelings over Olympics". BBC. 26 November 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
6. Ellen Barry (3 August 2012). "Russian Governor Signs Up Cossacks to Police Migrants". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
7. "Asia Briefs: Export pork to Indonesia? Putin gets a good laugh". The Straits Times. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
8. "Putin bursts into laughter after 'pork exports to Indonesia' gaffe". Retrieved 17 October 2017.
9. "The Paralympic Order". Paralympic Movement. Retrieved 1 October 2017.

External links

• No opponent in re-election bid

Political offices
Preceded by Nikolay Fyodorov	Minister of Agriculture 22 April 2015 – 7 May 2018	Succeeded by Dmitry Patrushev
Preceded by Nikolai Kondratenko	Governor of Krasnodar Krai 5 January 2001 – 22 April 2015	Succeeded by Veniamin Kondratev