Ukraine's President Zelenskyy Signs Bill Weakening Anti-Corruption Agencies

The bill, which effectively brings two independent anti-corruption agencies under government control, has sparked widespread protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Critics claim the move will weaken Ukraine's fight against corruption, while President Zelenskyy argues it is necessary to clear the country's "anti-corruption infrastructure" of Russian influence.

Key Takeaways:

• The new law, approved by the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, gives Ukraine's prosecutor general the power to close cases against top officials and transfer investigations to other bodies.
• The two independent agencies, the national anti-corruption bureau (Nabu) and the specialized anti-corruption prosecutor's office (Sapo), have been accused by Zelenskyy of failing to pursue cases against Ukrainian officials living abroad and leaking information to Moscow.
• Civil society activists have reacted with fury, accusing Zelenskyy of violating the informal social contract between government and society that has existed since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
• Protesters gathered outside Zelenskyy's presidential office in Kyiv, waving banners and chanting slogans such as "Veto the law" and "Shame".
• TheMove is seen as a step towards authoritarianism, with opponents claiming a return to the old days of corrupt pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych.

Statistics:

• 1,500 protesters gathered outside Zelenskyy's presidential office in Kyiv on Tuesday evening.
• 12412 was the number on the banners waved by protesters in reference to the new law.
• The bill was approved by the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, with Zelenskyy signing it into law late that night.
• Transparency International has criticized the move, describing it as a stripping of society's anti-corruption institutions.

Sources:

• Instead of joining forces, NABU and Sapo will come under ministries
• NABU office in Kyiv, raided by the SBU in 2021, credit: Photograph: Roman Baluk/AP