“Zelenski has just betrayed the democracy in Ukraine and everyone who is fighting for her.” Centers editorial in the Kiev press

A new law voted by the supreme and promulgated Rada lightning by President Volodimir Zelenski raises serious question marks on the future of democracy in Ukraine. The decision is criticized in a sharp editorial of the main English language publication in Kiev, which states that the head of the three-year-old country deliberately chose to undermine the anti-corruption institutions “in favor of expanding one's own power.”

The new law, adopted with the support of the majority of the president, places the National Anticorruption Bureau (NABU) and the special anti -corruption prosecutor's office (SAP) under the coordination of the Attorney General, a function considered to be lacking in independence. The law was promulgated on Tuesday evening by Volodimir Zelenski.

The measure cancels the basic principle on which Ukraine's anti -corruption architecture was built: independence from other force institutions, in the opinion of the journalists from The Kyiv Independent.

“Translated into practice: a phone in Zelenski's office can stop an investigation at any time,” comments the Ukrainian publication.

Anti -corruption investigations targeted people from Zelenski's entourage

The adoption and promulgation of the law comes shortly after a well-known anti-corruption activist of Ukraine, a vocal critic of Zelenski, was charged in a controversial file, another event criticized by Kiev journalists, in an incisive editorial published at that time.

And the one shown with The Independent Kyiv finger is Zelenski: “The President of Ukraine has chosen to sabotage the country's democratic institutions in favor of expanding one's own power.”

According to The Independent Kyiv, the time chosen is not accidental. Anti -corruption agencies had become uncomfortable for the political elite, including the president. They investigated parliamentarians from the party “the servant of the people” (the formation from which Zelenski comes) and even close to the current Ukrainian leader.

Recently, investigators targeted former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, close friend of the president, in a file on illegal attribution. The Ukrainian publication also states that other heavy names in Zelenski's entourage are in view of anti -corruption investigators.

“In short, the agencies did their job: they were independently investigated corruption from the highest level,” comments the Ukrainian publication.

Scale under the protection of martial law

The editorial recalls that Nabu and SAP were created following the Euromaidan Revolution of 2013-2014, one of the few clear victories of the Ukrainian democratic movement. Over 100 protesters have died to obtain this type of independent institutions. Now, all these winnings risk being canceled, according to The Kyiv Independent journalists.

The denounced skid happened under the martial law, the elections were suspended, and the street protests are almost impossible. Many of the Civic Active citizens are now on the front or have died. According to The Kyiv Independent, the first anti -government protests since the beginning of the war broke out on Tuesday, exactly on the day of the vote, postponing the signing of the law.

In the opinion of the Ukrainian journal, the West represents the only external source of control that can intervene for Ukraine to remain a democratic country.

But the publication draws attention to the passivity of the West, especially after the Russian invasion. Absolute priority has become the maintenance of a good relationship with the leaders of Kiev, even to the detriment of the reforms.

The West, pulled by the sleeve

Western governments must clearly convey that this skid is observed and will have consequences, considers the publication from Kiev.

“The survival of Ukraine and her soldiers remains zero priority. But it will be increasingly difficult for Western governments to justify help in their own citizens if Ukraine slides in an authoritarian regime. The man representing Ukraine against Russia cannot, at the same time, be the one who destroys his democracy,” the Journalists write.

In the absence of firm reactions, Zelenski will continue the process of subordinating institutions.

“Next on the list? The independent press in Ukraine.”

Finally, The Kyiv Independent wonders if the West will have the courage to support the Ukrainian people.

“Ukrainian democracy can still be saved. In peace time, this task would return to the Ukrainian people. But today, the Ukrainians are fighting for Europe and the whole world.”