**Ukraine’s President Vows to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Agencies Amid Nationwide Protests**
In a bid to ease tensions and restore public trust, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans to develop a joint action plan with the country’s top law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies. The move comes as thousands of Ukrainians take to the streets in protest against a new law that critics say threatens the independence of key anti-graft agencies.
According to Zelensky, the joint plan will be ready within two weeks, following an in-depth working session scheduled for next week. The president emphasized the importance of a justice system where cases are not stalled for years and individuals who work against the Ukrainian state are held accountable.
The controversy surrounds a new law that was signed into effect on July 22, which significantly expands the prosecutor general’s powers over two key anti-corruption bodies: the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). Critics argue that this move effectively destroys the independence of these agencies, allowing for political interference in investigations.
**Critics Slam New Law as Threat to Independence**
Thousands of protesters took to the streets on July 22, calling for the repeal of the new law. The demonstrations were met with fierce resistance from police, but the protest continued to gain momentum throughout the day. In a joint statement following the protests, NABU and SAPO emphasized that the recent legislative changes “significantly undermine” their independence.
The agencies stressed that restoring full and independent operations will require “clear and unambiguous legislative steps” to reinstate the safeguards removed by parliament. The rule of law and compliance with the law remain unchanged values for NABU and SAPO, but they expect other law enforcement agencies to adopt a similar approach.
**Opposition Lawmakers Push Back Against Legislation**
Opposition lawmakers and civil society groups continue to push back against the legislation, arguing that it violates parliamentary procedures and threatens Ukraine’s commitments to the European Union. A joint effort is underway to collect signatures for a constitutional review process, which requires at least 45 MPs.
Yaroslav Zhelezniak, a lawmaker from the opposition Holos party, said parliamentarians have begun collecting signatures to launch the constitutional review process. Inna Sovsun, another Holos lawmaker, has drafted an alternative bill aimed at repealing the new law and restoring institutional independence to the anti-corruption agencies.
The protests and criticism against the legislation are expected to continue in the coming weeks as lawmakers and civil society groups push for reforms.
