Last week, the Ukrainian Parliament voted to return independence to two anti-corruption bodies.
This came just two months after President Zelenskyy drafted a law which allowed the government to oversee appointments, effectively removing a layer of their state separation.
The two concerned agencies, SAPO (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office) and National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) were accused by Zelenskyy of Russian infiltration, opening the door for regulation and oversight.
His plans were strongly opposed by the Ukranian people, with critics arguing it extended the government’s power beyond its legitimate reach, and would eliminate one of the few independent means of tackling corruption in the country, and issue which has plagued Zelenskyy’s government since he took power in 2019.
The decision to overturn the bill was passed quickly,. For the first time in wartime Ukraine, the country was filled with protests requesting that the new law be overturned. Ukrainian citizens believed this was a crackdown on a necessary organization, which in recent months had ramped up their anti-corruption efforts.
This controversial bill has allowed Zelenskyy’s sceptics in the West, especially those on the American right-wing, to claim that Ukrainians wanted the President out.
For me, this is a far fetched take. Ukrainians have always been a resilient people in their history, and only mean to correct Zelenskyy; they do not wish for him to leave (alteast not without an election).
Several protesters held banners calling Zelenskyy by his nickname, Vova. This is what makes it clear – the Ukrainians are serious – no longer addressing him with respect as President or Zelenskyy.
The European Union reacted by temporarily cutting aid in protest, while addressing Ukraine as it claimed to be “alarmed” over the new law. International pressure was growing, while Ukrainians continued to protest in front of Zelenskyy’s office.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, however said on X: “I welcome the signing by President Zelenskyy of the new law that guarantees the full independence of Ukrainian organizations tasked with fighting corruption. This is an important decision for Ukraine, democracy, the rule of law, and the European path.”
It should be noted that this was not exclusive to Kyiv, with a majority of Ukraine’s major cities suffering a similar fate. Brussels-based POLITICO published shortly after an essay, in which it ruled that Zelensky’s move was criticized as a self-sabotage.
While Vova first defended his position as he explained it was a crackdown on pro-Russian infiltrators, the (Inter)national pressure soon led him to think twice. After consultation with NABU, he announced a new bill would be drafted, promising the restoration of its autonomy.
The anti-corruption agency confirmed Zelenskyy’s declarations, leading to a Parliament vote. It was a unanimous vote, with no one voting against or even neutrally, with the exceptions of 6 MPs who abstained.
The morning after the vote, Ukrainians gathered together in front of the Parliament in support of NABU and SAPO’s independence. Ukraine, a nation which suffered a smear campaign as Zelenskyy’s detractors used this move to fuel their agenda, proved it can fight for itself.
While many pointed fingers at the President claiming it demonstrated his corrupt agenda, Zelenskyy was quick to act and heard his people, eventually backtracking. He thanked Ukrainians and the Parliament for a smooth decision on the law that reinstated the independence of NABU and SAPO.
Featured image via Review News / Shutterstock.
