Backlash grows after Zelensky strips anti-corruption bodies of independence
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Zelensky faces backlash as anti-corruption law sparks mass protests across Ukraine.
Zelensky Controversial Law Faces Widespread Opposition
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing mounting public and international backlash after signing a controversial law that strips key anti-corruption agencies of their independence. The law, passed with the support of 263 out of 324 MPs, places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap) under the control of the prosecutor general—an official appointed by the president.
The decision has sparked mass protests across the country and raised concerns about Ukraine’s democratic trajectory and its EU integration prospects.
Protests Erupt Nationwide Despite War Threats
Thousands of Ukrainians flooded the streets for a second night of demonstrations on Wednesday, defying martial law restrictions and nightly Russian aerial threats. Protesters gathered outside the presidential office in Kyiv, as well as in cities like Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy. Demonstrators held signs reading “Shame,” “12414 sounds like 1984,” and “Parliament is full of parasites.”
Many young veterans joined the protest, chanting and singing in public squares. Some protesters likened the law to the pro-Russian leadership era of former President Viktor Yanukovych. One sign at the Kyiv rally read, “Corruption lives the future dies,” capturing the public’s discontent.
Zelensky Responds But Offers No Concrete Plan
Addressing the backlash, Zelensky acknowledged the anger among citizens and announced plans to submit a new bill to parliament. However, he did not provide details on the proposed changes. He defended the law, claiming that Nabu and Sap had allowed criminal cases to stagnate and needed to be “cleansed from Russian influence.”
Critics argue the real effect of the law is the erosion of the agencies’ autonomy undermining years of progress in Ukraine’s fight against corruption.
European Union and Allies Alarmed
The law has not only triggered domestic protests but also alarmed Ukraine’s Western allies. A spokesperson for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had demanded explanations from the Ukrainian government. Germany and France have also voiced their concerns, warning the law could derail Ukraine’s path to EU membership.
Von der Leyen’s office stressed that adherence to the rule of law and anti-corruption principles are core to EU integration. “There cannot be a compromise,” a spokesperson said firmly.
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Anti-Corruption Progress at Risk
Ukraine ranks 105th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, but this represents an improvement of 39 places since Nabu and Sap were formed in 2014. These agencies have led high-profile investigations, including the 2023 arrest of the Supreme Court’s head for accepting a $3 million bribe and a recent probe into former Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
Now, under presidential oversight, concerns are growing that future investigations may be politically compromised or halted altogether.
Public Figures and Media Speak Out
Prominent war veteran Masi Nayem joined the protests, stating it was his duty to defend Ukraine’s democracy. Independent media outlets have also expressed alarm. Ukrainska Pravda described the law as a “critical blow” to European integration, while Dzerkalo Tyzhnia warned of an “authoritarian shift.”
In a joint statement, Nabu and Sap said they had lost essential guarantees for independent operation but thanked Ukrainians for their “principled stance and active support.”
Protests Continue Amid Political Uncertainty
Despite a ban on mass gatherings during martial law, protests continued into Wednesday night with expectations of more to follow. For many citizens, the focus has shifted from the ongoing war with Russia to a struggle against their own government’s actions.
“This is government lawlessness,” said a protester named Liza in Lviv. “We don’t want to fight both Russia and our own leaders.”
As Ukraine navigates the dual pressures of war and political accountability, Zelensky’s new law threatens to fracture public trust and slow the country’s path toward the European Union.
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