**Ukrainian Civil Society Groups Call for Appointment of Anti-Corruption Investigator**
A group of over 60 Ukrainian civil society and business groups have urged the newly appointed Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, to appoint Oleksandr Tsyvinsky as head of Ukraine’s Economic Security Bureau. This comes after Tsyvinsky’s nomination was rejected by the Cabinet of Ministers on July 8, citing a letter from Ukraine’s security services alleging ties to Russia through his father.
The signatories of the public appeal warned Svyrydenko against repeating the mistakes of her predecessor and urged her to honor the results of a transparent, EU-backed selection process. They emphasized that Tsyvinsky’s candidacy was rejected because the President’s Office sees him as too independent. The group stated, “Appoint Oleksandr Tsyvinsky as head of the Economic Security Bureau and start a real reboot of the body that the whole country is waiting for.”
Tsyvinsky, a veteran law enforcement official with two decades of experience, had been successfully vetted by the Security Service of Ukraine during the selection process. He has not maintained contact with his father for ten years, according to his own statements. The selection commission rejected the demand to choose a new candidate and reaffirmed Tsyvinsky as the winner in a meeting streamed online on July 14.
The Economic Security Bureau was founded in 2021 to investigate economic crimes, but has faced persistent allegations of corruption, political interference, and abuse of power. Its reform is a key condition for continued support from Ukraine’s international partners, including the European Union and International Monetary Fund.
Legal experts from opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s team said there is no legal basis to reject a candidate who has passed all formal procedures. Zhelezniak warned that the government’s rejection, combined with the lack of pushback from international partners, could signal Kyiv’s backsliding on reform.
**What does it mean?**
The appointment of Tsyvinsky as head of the Economic Security Bureau is crucial for Ukraine’s economic security and its relations with international partners. The country has faced persistent allegations of corruption and abuse of power in its economic institutions, which have hindered its efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen trust in government institutions.
**Analysis**
The rejection of Tsyvinsky’s nomination by the Cabinet of Ministers raises concerns about the influence of Ukraine’s security services on the selection process. The President’s Office seems to be opposed to Tsyvinsky due to his independence, which could undermine efforts to reform the Economic Security Bureau.
The lack of pushback from international partners on this issue suggests that they may not prioritize accountability and transparency in Ukraine’s economic institutions. This silence could embolden the government to continue down a path of corruption and abuse of power, undermining the country’s economic security and its relations with its international partners.
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