Thousands protest as Zelenskyy weakening anti-corruption : NPR

Protestant song while holding banners that read “I hold you for you, and for those who are on the front line”, “do you want it like in russia”, “stop flying our future” during a demonstration against a law targeting Tuesday anti-corruption institutions in the center of Kyiv, in Ukraine.

Alex Babenko / AP

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Alex Babenko / AP

Kyiv, Ukraine – Thousands of people gathered on Tuesday in kyiv and other cities in Ukraine to urge the president to veto a controversial bill that threatens anti -corruption infrastructure. He marked the first major rally against the government in more than three years of war.

The Ukrainian Parliament has adopted legislation which will tighten the supervision of two main anti-corruption agencies, which, according to criticism, could considerably weaken their independence and give the circle of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to influence investigations. Zelenskyy signed the bill, according to the Parliament website on Tuesday evening.

The fight against rooted corruption is crucial for the offer of Ukraine to join the European Union and to maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid. The adoption of the legislation triggered the public’s indignation in Ukraine, some saying that it seemed to be a more moral blow than the attacks of Russian routine drones and missiles.

The modifications would grant the prosecutor the new authority on the surveys and cases dealt with by the National Anti-Corruption Office of Ukraine (NABU) and the Office of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor (SAPO).

“Indeed, if this bill becomes a law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while Nabu will lose its independence and be transformed into the subdivision of the Office of the Attorney General,” agencies said in a joint press release on Telegram.

In an article on X, the EU enlargement commissioner, Marta Kos, spoke concerned about voting to Parliament, called the rada, calling it “not serious”.

Kos added: “Independent bodies like Nabu and Sapo are essential for the EU’s EU path. The rule of law remains in the very center of EU membership negotiations.”

While the rallies took place during the war in Ukraine, they largely focused on the return of prisoners of war or missing persons. The demonstrations remain, however, a traditional form of public pressure in Ukraine, where two previous revolutions have been victorious for the public.

“Corruption is a problem in any country, and it must always be carried out,” said Ihor Lachenkov, a blogger and activist who urged people to join the demonstration via his social media platforms, which reach more than 1.5 million followers.

“Ukraine has much less resources than Russia in this war,” he said. “If we abuse them, or worse, allow them to find themselves in the thieves’ pockets, our chances of victory decrease. All our resources must go to the fight.”

The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticized the decision of the Parliament, saying that it undermines one of the most important reforms since Ukraine called its revolution of dignity in 2014 and damages trust with international partners.

The group urged Zelenskyy to veto the law, warning that otherwise it would share responsibility with the rada to “dismantle the anti-corruption infrastructure of Ukraine”.

Many demonstrators have worn signs indicating “veto the law”, “protect the anti-corruption system, protect the future of Ukraine” or simply “we are against”.

The atmosphere of anger and frustration among the privileged Ukrainians prevailed in the crowd. Some demonstrators have accused Ukraine management of prioritizing loyalty and personal ties on the fight against corruption.

“Those who have sworn to protect the laws and the Constitution have rather chosen to protect their inner circle, even at the expense of Ukrainian democracy,” said veteran Oleh Symoroz, sitting in a wheelchair because his two legs were amputated after being injured in 2022.

“Instead of giving an example of zero tolerance for corruption, the president uses his power to take control of criminal affairs involving his allies,” he said.

On Monday, the internal security agency of Ukraine arrested two officials of the Nabu suspected of links with Russia and searched other employees of the agency on unrelated allegations.

The Zelenskyy office did not respond to a request for comments. Last week, the president made a reshuffle of his cabinet in wartime, a decision widely considered as a greater power of consolidation in his inner circle.