Zelenski announces a new law on anti -corruption structures. The president takes a step back in front of street protests and irritation of European officials
Volodimir Zelenski. Photo Credit: Sergei Suppinky / AFP / Profimedia
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski announced on Thursday that he is proposing a new bill to ensure the “independence” of anti -corruption structures, following the protests caused by an adoption of a law that restrains their ability to act autonomously, AFP reports.
“We have just approved the text of a draft law that guarantees a true consolidation” of justice and security services and protects them from “any Russian influence or interference”, while ensuring “the independence of the anti -corruption agencies”, Zelenski said on the Social Network X.
Its announcement occurs two days after the Kiev Parliament adopted an expeditious law that places the National Anticorruption Office (NABU) and the specialized anti -corruption prosecutor (SAP) under the direct authority of the General Prosecutor, which is appointed by Zelenski.
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This law, promulgated by the President immediately after the vote in the Parliament, has provoked negative reactions from the European Union, a key supporter of Ukraine in the War with Russia, and the first large demonstrations since this war began in 2022.
Surprised by these evolutions, President Zelenski, who initially invoked “Russian interference” as an argument for limiting the independence of the two institutions he has accused of inefficiency, seems to have taken a step back.
Zelenski's announcement, under the wave of European and internal criticisms compared to the law subordinating anti -corruption agencies / prosecutors demand the annulment of the law.
The new draft law, which “guarantees the independence of Nabu and SAP”, will be “presented today to the Ukrainian Parliament”, he assured in the X post, but without providing details about the content of the project.
He indicated, on the other hand, that “it is important to remain united (…), to respect the position of all Ukrainians and to be grateful to all those who support Ukraine.”
