Ukraine's anti-corruption law

Thousands demonstrate in Kyiv against anti-corruption law

Thousands of Ukrainians have gathered to demonstrate in Kyiv on Tuesday evening, despite the fact that military laws prohibit it, according to the Kyiv Post.

This after parliament voted through a bill that would limit the independence of the country's two anti-corruption agencies.

The protesters are demanding that Zelenskyy veto the bill, which has been criticized both domestically and internationally.

According to Financial Times correspondent Christopher Miller, these are the largest demonstrations in Ukraine since the war.

Zelenskyy has signed the controversial law

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed the controversial new law that limits the independence of anti-corruption agencies. This is shown by the parliament's website according to Reuters.

The announcement comes at the same time as thousands of Ukrainians demonstrate and demand his veto of the law.

The law, which was voted through by parliament on Tuesday, means that the two agencies SAPO and NABU will be directly subordinate to the Prosecutor General, who was appointed by Zelensky.

It has been criticized both in Ukraine and internationally, including by several EU representatives.

“These institutions are central to Ukraine’s reform agenda and must act independently to fight corruption and maintain public trust,” says European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos calls it “a big step backwards” for Ukraine’s EU ambitions.

Analysis: A setback for Ukraine’s democracy

The new law that gives the Prosecutor General control over Ukraine’s two anti-corruption agencies has effectively destroyed their independence, writes Serhiy Kostez for Kyiv Post.

“As soon as an official gets wind of an anti-corruption investigation, the prosecutor general can now transfer it to any other prosecutor, with unknown consequences for the case.”

However, pressure from the West and the risk of EU ambitions being overturned could eventually lead to the formation of a new – perhaps more effective – structure for anti-corruption work, continues Kostezj.

The new law is a setback for democracy in Ukraine, says Danish TV2’s Ukraine correspondent Claus Borg Reinholdt.

– A healthy democracy requires independent institutions that can investigate corruption without interference.

The Economist correspondent Oliver Carroll calls it “a very dangerous moment for Ukraine” in a post on X.

The organizer of tonight’s protests in Kyiv has called for more tomorrow, writes Financial Times correspondent Christopher Miller on X.

“Even in wartime, when many have held back criticism for the sake of unity, there is a growing sense that domestic accountability cannot be postponed forever. People are ready to raise their voices not just against external threats, but also against internal ones.”