Public outrage mounts as the Ukrainian government faces mounting criticism for recent legislative changes jeopardizing anti-corruption efforts.
**Protests Erupt in Ukraine Over Zelensky's Anti-Corruption Law Changes**
**Protests Erupt in Ukraine Over Zelensky's Anti-Corruption Law Changes**
Citizens rally against the erosion of independence of key anti-corruption agencies.
In Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, thousands have taken to the streets for the second consecutive night to protest President Volodymyr Zelensky's controversial legislation that reduces the independence of two crucial anti-corruption bodies: the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap). The newly enacted law places these agencies under the control of the prosecutor general, who is a presidential appointee, triggering fears of political influence over anti-corruption efforts.
Demonstrations surged after Zelensky signed the bill late Tuesday night, with 263 out of 324 MPs supporting it. Crowd response has been robust, as citizens brandish signs demanding accountability and expressing concerns that this move could usher back the corruption seen during former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych's reign.
Zelensky addressed the growing dissent, announcing intentions to draft a new bill in response to public outrage, although he did not elaborate on its content. Meanwhile, European leaders have also registered their discontent, with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen seeking explanations from Ukraine's government regarding the implications of the law for its EU accession journey.
The pushback from citizens highlights a broader anxiety about Ukraine’s past struggles against corruption—historically a significant barrier to its EU aspirations. Since the establishment of Nabu and Sap in 2014, Ukraine has made strides in combating graft; however, the new law has led critics to fear a regression in these gains.
Small protests have also popped up in other cities including Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy, despite the ongoing threat from Russian attacks. Many demonstrators, including young veterans, rally under slogans that suggest a return to pervasive corruption, stating phrases like "Corruption lives – the future dies."
This wave of demonstrations is painted as the largest anti-government uprising since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, indicating a significant mobilization of public sentiment against perceived threats to democratic principles and governance. Citizens call for a return to strict measures against corruption, which they see as vital to Ukraine's integrity and reform trajectory.
Transparency International currently ranks Ukraine 105 out of 180 on its Corruption Perceptions Index, yet the country has made notable improvements since the anti-corruption bodies were instituted. Nonetheless, there are rising concerns that the law's shift towards oversight may shield influential figures from accountability, raising alarm about the potential impacts on Ukraine's long-standing commitment to combating corruption.
As the nation navigates these complex challenges, citizens express their dissatisfaction with what they describe as "government lawlessness," emphasizing that they do not want to face threats from both external adversaries and their own administration. The tension between the fight for democratic integrity and the current legislative changes continues to resonate deeply within the Ukrainian populace.
Demonstrations surged after Zelensky signed the bill late Tuesday night, with 263 out of 324 MPs supporting it. Crowd response has been robust, as citizens brandish signs demanding accountability and expressing concerns that this move could usher back the corruption seen during former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych's reign.
Zelensky addressed the growing dissent, announcing intentions to draft a new bill in response to public outrage, although he did not elaborate on its content. Meanwhile, European leaders have also registered their discontent, with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen seeking explanations from Ukraine's government regarding the implications of the law for its EU accession journey.
The pushback from citizens highlights a broader anxiety about Ukraine’s past struggles against corruption—historically a significant barrier to its EU aspirations. Since the establishment of Nabu and Sap in 2014, Ukraine has made strides in combating graft; however, the new law has led critics to fear a regression in these gains.
Small protests have also popped up in other cities including Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy, despite the ongoing threat from Russian attacks. Many demonstrators, including young veterans, rally under slogans that suggest a return to pervasive corruption, stating phrases like "Corruption lives – the future dies."
This wave of demonstrations is painted as the largest anti-government uprising since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, indicating a significant mobilization of public sentiment against perceived threats to democratic principles and governance. Citizens call for a return to strict measures against corruption, which they see as vital to Ukraine's integrity and reform trajectory.
Transparency International currently ranks Ukraine 105 out of 180 on its Corruption Perceptions Index, yet the country has made notable improvements since the anti-corruption bodies were instituted. Nonetheless, there are rising concerns that the law's shift towards oversight may shield influential figures from accountability, raising alarm about the potential impacts on Ukraine's long-standing commitment to combating corruption.
As the nation navigates these complex challenges, citizens express their dissatisfaction with what they describe as "government lawlessness," emphasizing that they do not want to face threats from both external adversaries and their own administration. The tension between the fight for democratic integrity and the current legislative changes continues to resonate deeply within the Ukrainian populace.
