Ukrainian parliament passed a bill that weakened anti-corruption institutions. The public is angry

Ukraine Tingfu (AP) – Ukraine’s parliament on Tuesday passed legislation that would strengthen oversight of two major anti-corruption agencies, which critics say could significantly weaken its independence and make President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s circle larger.

Fighting deep-rooted corruption is crucial to Ukraine joining the EU and maintaining opportunities for billions of dollars in Western aid. The passage of the legislation has sparked public outrage in Ukraine and plans to hold protests in Kiev on Tuesday.

These changes will grant prosecutors new powers in general, including investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Agency of Ukraine (NABU) and the dedicated Office of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor (SAPO).

“In fact, if the bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal number and Nab will lose its independence and turn it into a breakdown of the Attorney General’s office,” the agency said in a joint statement in the telegraph.

The bill went to Zelenskyy to obtain his signature or veto.

In an article on X, EU expansion commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern about the RADA’s vote, calling it a “serious step back”.

Kos added: “Independent institutions such as Nab and Sapo are crucial to Ukraine’s EU path. The rule of law remains the center of EU accession negotiations.”

Ukraine’s Transparency International Branch criticized the parliament’s decision, saying it undermined one of the most important reforms since Ukraine called its dignity revolution since the 2014 revolution and the damage to trust with international partners.

The group urged Zelenskyy to veto the law, warning that otherwise he would be responsible for “demolition of Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure.”

Ukraine’s internal security agency detained two Nab officials on Monday on suspicion of contact with Russia and searched other agency employees without charges.

Zelenskyy’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Last week, the president reorganized his wartime cabinet, a move widely regarded as a further consolidation within his inner circle.