Zelensky Responds to Protests with New Law Aimed at Protecting Anti-Corruption Agencies

In a late response to widespread protests, President Zelensky announced a new bill designed to maintain the autonomy of Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has moved to address the largest anti-government demonstrations since the onset of war by submitting a draft law intended to uphold the independence of two crucial anti-corruption agencies, shortly after controversial legislation threatened to undermine their authority. Citizens across Ukraine rallied in protest, voicing their fears that new regulations would place the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap) under presidential control, which critics argue could lead to increased political influence and reduced effectiveness in tackling corruption.

In recent remarks, Zelensky described the new draft law as a balanced approach designed to protect Nabu and Sap from external influences, particularly from Russia. This announcement follows heightened tensions after searches and arrests connected to alleged espionage within these agencies, illustrating the complicated interplay of national security and democratic governance.

The initial legislation, which brought Nabu and Sap under the purview of the prosecutor general—an appointee of the president—prompted swift backlash from the public and concern from international partners. Thousands took to the streets, carrying placards denouncing the adjustments and calling for their reversal. Critics have accused Zelensky of undermining democratic principles, an assertion echoed by the European Commission, which emphasized the critical nature of maintaining rule of law and anti-corruption measures as prerequisites for Ukraine's aspiration to join the European Union.

As demonstrations intensified, Western allies voiced their disapproval, further complicating Ukraine's political landscape and highlighting the delicate balance Zelensky must navigate between ongoing security threats and the expectations of preserving democratic integrity. Despite the backlash, Zelensky has not publicly addressed the protests, opting instead to focus on ensuring that anti-corruption agencies operate with the independence they were originally designed to maintain, all while calling for unity among the Ukrainian populace in the face of adversity.