Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Agencies Lose Autonomy Amidst Protests and International Concern

Protests Erupt Over New Anti-Corruption Law

• 📣 Thousands rallied in Kyiv urging lawmakers to reject a bill that would strip anti-corruption agencies of their independence.
• 🗣️ Protesters voiced concerns that the law would make these vital institutions subservient to the Prosecutor of Ukraine.

Legislative Changes and Their Impact

• 🗳️ The Ukrainian Parliament passed the bill with a significant majority (263 in favor, 13 against, 13 abstentions).
• ✍️ President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the bill into law, affecting the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).
• 🏛️ These agencies will now operate under the Prosecutor General, who is accountable to President Zelensky.

Justification and International Reaction

• 🛡️ The government framed the law as a measure to defend against Russian interference and ensure the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts.
• 🇪🇺 Diplomats from the European Union described the move as unfortunate and a setback, given Ukraine's recent efforts to combat corruption.
• ⚖️ The law was passed despite Ukraine ranking 105th out of 180 countries on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index.