**Ukrainian President Reverses Course, Submits Draft Legislation to Restore Independence of Anti-Corruption Agencies**
In a sudden turn of events, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has submitted draft legislation to restore the independence of the country’s anti-corruption agencies. The move comes after widespread public criticism and rare wartime protests over measures enacted earlier this week that established greater control by the prosecutor general over the anti-corruption bureau NABU and the specialised prosecution unit SAPO.
The new bill, which Zelenskiy described as “well-balanced”, aims to restore all procedural powers and guarantees of independence to NABU and SAPO. The agencies themselves have welcomed the move, urging parliament to hold a vote on the bill as soon as possible.
**Backlash and Protests**
The controversy began when measures were enacted earlier this week that gave Zelenskiy’s appointed prosecutor control over NABU and SAPO. Critics had decried the move, saying it looked like political pressure on the agencies. The reaction was fierce, with thousands of people joining protests across the country, despite public gatherings being restricted by martial law.
Zelenskiy faced a severe backlash, but he has now sought to reassure Ukrainians that their concerns have been heard. “It is important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine,” he said in his nightly video address.
**International Reaction**
Ukraine’s international allies had rushed to express vocal criticism over the earlier legislation. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) called the law “very problematic” for the war-torn country’s macroeconomic stability and growth. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz both offered their countries’ expertise on the new bill.
**Next Steps**
The parliament is expected to consider the new bill at its next plenary session, although MPs were meant to start their summer holiday this week. Opposition lawmakers have separately registered their own legislation to revoke the restrictive measures.
As Ukraine continues to navigate its recovery from Russia’s invasion, Zelenskiy’s reversal on the anti-corruption agencies is a crucial step towards rebuilding trust with his people and international partners.
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