Mass protests have erupted across Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to sign a controversial bill that brings the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under the control of the prosecutor general. The move has triggered outrage among civil society groups, political figures, and citizens who view it as a serious blow to Ukraine’s fight against corruption.
In Kyiv, thousands gathered at Ivan Franko Square, chanting slogans like “Shame!” and “Veto the law,” while similar protests took place in Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa. The demonstrators, many of them young professionals and activists, argue that the new law undermines the independence of key anti-graft institutions established after the 2014 Maidan revolution.
President Zelensky has defended the law, stating that it is necessary to eliminate lingering Russian influence and reinvigorate stalled investigations. He claimed some anti-corruption officials have failed in their duties while living comfortably abroad. However, critics warn that the law grants too much power to the prosecutor general, allowing political interference in sensitive investigations.
Local political leaders and opposition figures have also spoken out. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko described the law as a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism, while former government officials expressed concern that it threatens Ukraine’s democratic progress.
Internationally, there are fears that this move could jeopardize Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. The EU and other Western allies have emphasized the importance of maintaining strong, independent institutions in the fight against corruption as a key condition for membership talks.
Despite the backlash, Zelensky has promised to unveil a new anti-corruption action plan in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, protest organizers are planning more demonstrations, vowing to continue their efforts to preserve Ukraine’s democratic integrity and ensure that the country’s path to Europe remains rooted in transparency and accountability.
