In Kyiv, an immense backlash followed President Volodymyr Zelensky's signing of a law that curtails the independence of two pivotal anti-corruption institutions. The new legislation places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap) under the purview of the prosecutor general, a role appointed by the president himself. This move has sparked protests for two consecutive nights, with thousands gathering in the capital brandishing signs criticizing the government and calling for greater transparency.
Zelensky, acknowledging the public outcry, mentioned his intention to propose a new bill to parliament in response to ongoing criticisms but withheld specifics. Kyiv's European allies have openly expressed their concern over the law, with a spokesperson for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen seeking clarification from the Ukrainian leadership. The president defended the legislation by stating that the anti-corruption agencies were allowing criminal cases to stagnate and needed to be free from purported Russian influence.
Thousands demonstrated outside the Presidential Office and in other major cities such as Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy, despite the looming threat from Russian air attacks. Dressed in military attire, many young veterans joined the protests, raising placards inscribed with messages like "shame" and references to historical corruption under former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Activists fear this law could jeopardize the ongoing battle against corruption and ultimately undermine Ukraine's integration into the EU.
The reform of anti-corruption agencies was pivotal to Ukraine's aspiration for closer ties with Europe, which started in 2014 following the ousting of Yanukovych. This recent decision has drawn alarm over its implications for Ukraine's European candidate status, and many protesters believe it echoes a past rife with corruption. Notably, Ukraine ranked 105th out of 180 in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, though it has improved by 39 points since the creation of Nabu and Sap in 2014.
The new law raises concerns about whether high-ranking officials will evade scrutiny, thereby reverting to practices of past governments. Protests are expected to expand nationwide as citizens voice their discontent over what many see as a reversion to authoritarian governance.
As tensions mount, social media buzzes with discontent, while the ongoing discussions in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine seem to fade in popularity compared to the urgent issues at home. Protesters expressed their frustration, insisting they should not be forced to fight both external and internal adversaries.
Zelensky, acknowledging the public outcry, mentioned his intention to propose a new bill to parliament in response to ongoing criticisms but withheld specifics. Kyiv's European allies have openly expressed their concern over the law, with a spokesperson for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen seeking clarification from the Ukrainian leadership. The president defended the legislation by stating that the anti-corruption agencies were allowing criminal cases to stagnate and needed to be free from purported Russian influence.
Thousands demonstrated outside the Presidential Office and in other major cities such as Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy, despite the looming threat from Russian air attacks. Dressed in military attire, many young veterans joined the protests, raising placards inscribed with messages like "shame" and references to historical corruption under former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Activists fear this law could jeopardize the ongoing battle against corruption and ultimately undermine Ukraine's integration into the EU.
The reform of anti-corruption agencies was pivotal to Ukraine's aspiration for closer ties with Europe, which started in 2014 following the ousting of Yanukovych. This recent decision has drawn alarm over its implications for Ukraine's European candidate status, and many protesters believe it echoes a past rife with corruption. Notably, Ukraine ranked 105th out of 180 in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, though it has improved by 39 points since the creation of Nabu and Sap in 2014.
The new law raises concerns about whether high-ranking officials will evade scrutiny, thereby reverting to practices of past governments. Protests are expected to expand nationwide as citizens voice their discontent over what many see as a reversion to authoritarian governance.
As tensions mount, social media buzzes with discontent, while the ongoing discussions in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine seem to fade in popularity compared to the urgent issues at home. Protesters expressed their frustration, insisting they should not be forced to fight both external and internal adversaries.
