Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing intense backlash after signing a law that restricts the independence of two critical anti-corruption bodies—the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap). The new law empowers the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president, to exert control over these entities, leading to fears that their effectiveness and authority will be severely compromised.
Following the passage of this contentious bill—which gained the approval of 263 MPs in a 324-member parliament—thousands of Ukrainians protested outside the president's office in Kyiv. Demonstrators also took to the streets in cities such as Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy, marking the first organized anti-government protests since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022. Many citizens view the fight against corruption as integral to Ukraine's aspiration for closer ties with the European Union, a journey initiated in the wake of the 2014 Euromaidan protests.
Critics, including prominent war veterans and civil society activists, argue that the law undermines the progress made since the establishment of Nabu and Sap over a decade ago, which were prerequisites for EU integration according to both the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund. Under their oversight, Ukraine has made strides in addressing systemic corruption, improving its ranking from 144th to 105th in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.
Despite the public outrage, Zelensky remains resolute, asserting that these measures were necessary to eliminate stagnation and Russian influence within the anti-corruption framework. He acknowledged the protests but reiterated the importance of maintaining unity against Russian aggression.
As Ukrainians express fears of a potential authoritarian shift in governance, the newly enacted law is seen not only as detrimental to anti-corruption efforts but also as a significant obstacle to Ukraine's EU ambitions. Dissent continues to simmer across the nation, with more protests expected in the coming days as citizens rally against what many consider governmental overreach.
