Ukraine’s government is facing a growing backlash after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law limiting the independence of two anti-corruption agencies.
The contentious bill grants control of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap) to the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.
Zelensky argued provisions needed to be taken as Nabu and Sap were letting criminal proceedings stagnate for years and insisted they had to be “cleansed from Russian influence”.
He signed the bill into law late on Tuesday after it received the backing of 263 MPs out of 324. Many Ukrainians outside parliament – the Rada – disagree with the decision. Critics say the law will severely undermine the Nabu and Sap’s authority and effectiveness.
On Tuesday night thousands gathered outside the president’s office in Kyiv to protest.
Smaller rallies were also held in Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv and Sumy – despite the continued threat from nightly Russian aerial attacks. The gatherings were the first anti-government demonstrations since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The fight against corruption is seen as closely tied to Kyiv’s prospects for integration within the EU – a path that started in 2014, when anti-government protests ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yankuovych in favour of closer ties with the West.
Credit: bbc.com
