**Ukraine’s President Under Fire for Controversial Law Stripping Anti-Corruption Agencies of Independence**
On July 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill into law that has sparked widespread protests and criticism from Western allies. The law expands the authority of the prosecutor general over anti-corruption agencies, potentially undermining their independence. This move has been met with strong backlash in Ukraine and internationally.
**Protests Erupt Across Ukraine**
Following the signing of the law, protests erupted in major cities across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa. Demonstrators called for the government to amend current laws and restore the independence of anti-corruption agencies. Zelensky’s administration was criticized for not engaging in dialogue with civil society before passing the law.
**Critics Say Law Opens Door to Political Interference**
Critics argue that the changes introduced by the law dismantle safeguards that protect anti-corruption agencies from political interference. The law allows the prosecutor general to issue binding instructions, reassign cases outside of the agencies, and delegate their authority to other prosecutors. This has raised concerns about the potential for politicization of these bodies.
**New Bill Proposed in Response to Backlash**
In response to the strong backlash, Zelensky announced on July 24 that a new bill had been submitted to parliament. The Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC), a watchdog organization, has supported the president’s initiative. AntAC believes the new bill would restore the principles previously dismantled by the law.
**Zelensky Assures EU Partners of Solution**
International leaders have expressed concern over the implications of the law on Ukraine’s path to European Union membership. Zelensky assured EU partners that he has a solution to address the fallout from the bill’s adoption. He stated that the new draft law was developed around the core principles of anti-corruption agencies’ independence.
**New Provisions Aim to Shield Agencies from Russian Influence**
The contentious law was initially passed under the justification of ridding the agencies of Russian influence, although no procedures in the law actually addressed this issue. The new bill includes provisions designed to shield all law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies from Russian influence by requiring their employees to undergo polygraph tests once every two years.
**Uncertainty Remains Until New Bill is Passed**
Until parliament approves the new bill and Zelensky signs it, the law passed on July 22 remains in effect. Protestors continue to call for changes, and the government’s response will be closely watched by civil society and international observers alike.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
