Recently, President Volodymyr Zelensky's new legislation limiting the autonomy of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap) has sparked widespread protests across the country. Critics assert that this move undermines Ukraine’s European integration efforts.
Protests Erupt in Ukraine Following Zelensky’s Controversial Anti-Corruption Law
Protests Erupt in Ukraine Following Zelensky’s Controversial Anti-Corruption Law
Thousands of Ukrainians are demonstrating against President Zelensky's recent law restricting the independence of key anti-corruption agencies amidst concerns over governmental oversight and EU relations.
Ukraine is experiencing a surge in public dissent following President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to sign a law that significantly curtails the independence of two essential anti-corruption institutions. This controversial legislation grants oversight of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap) to the prosecutor general, a position appointed by the president himself.
Zelensky argues that the reforms are necessary, claiming that both agencies have stagnated judicial proceedings and need to be purged of alleged Russian influence. However, his decision has faced fierce resistance from the public, culminating in protests involving thousands in Kyiv and smaller gatherings in cities like Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy, despite ongoing threats from Russian military actions.
The outcry marks the first significant anti-government protests since the full-scale invasion by Russia commenced in 2022. Many Ukrainians view the struggle against corruption as closely linked to the country's aspirations for integration into the European Union (EU). The establishment of Nabu and Sap was crucial for Ukraine's progress towards closer ties with Europe, especially following the 2014 protests that resulted in the ousting of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych.
Zelensky's move has raised fears that it may derail Ukraine’s EU ambitions, which many believe come at a great cost due to the ongoing Russian aggression. Protest signs reflected deep concerns, with slogans like "Corruption lives – the future dies" resonating among demonstrators. Even as Ukraine experiences governmental graft, ranked 105 out of 180 on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, there have been significant improvements since Nabu and Sap were established.
The agencies played critical roles in high-profile corruption cases, including the arrest of the head of Ukraine's Supreme Court for bribery earlier this year. Critics now worry that reducing their independence will hinder efforts to hold powerful individuals in government accountable.
Despite the nationwide ban on mass gatherings under martial law, further protests were anticipated as discontent simmered. Media outlets described this legislative action as a "critical blow" to Ukraine's EU integration efforts, and prominent figures, including war veterans, joined the protests as a "duty" to the nation's democratic principles.
European leaders have echoed these concerns, cautioning that these changes jeopardize Ukraine’s path to the EU. In response to the backlash, Zelensky met with officials from Nabu and Sap, vowing to develop a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy within two weeks while emphasizing the importance of national unity against external threats.
As discussions continue between Russia and Ukraine, many are more focused on the implications of Zelensky's new law, with one Lviv resident describing the situation as "government lawlessness," expressing anxiety over fighting both external and internal enemies.
