**Zelensky’s Approval Rating Takes a Hit Amid Anti-Corruption Scandal**
A recent poll in Ukraine has shown that President Volodymyr Zelensky’s trust rating has declined from 65% to 58%. This drop comes after a controversial law was signed, which would have put the country’s anti-corruption agencies under the control of the prosecutor general. The move sparked widespread protests and international criticism.
However, following mounting public pressure, President Zelensky reversed his decision and signed new legislation restoring the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). Despite this, it seems that the scandal has had a lasting impact on the president’s approval rating.
**Systemic Corruption Fears Lead to Distrust**
According to the poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), 35% of Ukrainians now express distrust in President Zelensky. The main reasons cited for this loss of trust were dissatisfaction with the state of corruption, which many see as systemic rather than personal accusations against the president.
Some respondents directly blamed the July 22 vote for their loss of trust, while others expressed frustration with the lack of progress on anti-corruption efforts.
**Distrust Remains Below Pre-War Levels**
While the decline in President Zelensky’s approval rating is notable, it’s worth noting that trust in the president remains above levels recorded during the full-scale war in 2024. This suggests that despite the current challenges, Ukrainians still have a degree of faith in their leader.
**Anti-Corruption Reforms Continue to Be a Priority**
The recent signing of new anti-corruption legislation has been welcomed by many, and it’s clear that President Zelensky is committed to continuing these reforms. The passage of this law with unanimous support from parliament highlights the importance that Ukrainians place on tackling corruption.
As Tim Zadorozhnyy, a news editor at The Kyiv Independent, notes, “The newly signed anti-corruption law has officially entered into force on August 1, marking a significant step towards restoring Ukraine’s international reputation and strengthening its anti-corruption institutions.”
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
