Information
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new anti-corruption bill following backlash against a previous draft that was widely criticised for undermining the independence of Ukraine’s key anti-corruption institutions. The earlier version of the bill, which granted the government increased control over anti-corruption watchdogs, triggered large-scale protests across the country and drew sharp condemnation from the European Union. In response, Zelenskyy stated that the new draft law would strengthen the rule of law, preserve the independence of anti-corruption bodies, and protect Ukraine from Russian interference. He emphasised the importance of public opinion and thanked Ukrainians and international allies for their support.
The controversial legislation marked the first major domestic unrest in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, with thousands protesting what they saw as a regression to the authoritarian practices of former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Demonstrators rallied particularly against draft law No. 12414, which sought to regulate the operations of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. The EU, a major supporter of Ukraine amid its war with Russia, warned that undermining anti-corruption efforts could harm Kyiv’s aspirations for European integration and access to Western aid. Transparency International’s Ukrainian branch criticised the earlier bill as a damaging blow to democratic reforms gained since the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution, further straining trust with international partners.
Source: AP, AFP
So What
This is a positive move, and one that possibly saved Ukraine from losing significant support. While it is possible that the original bill was well-intentioned, it clearly had flaws that opened up the country to criticism. This allows pro-Russian pundits in the West and Russian propagandists the ability to drag Ukraine down and attempt to isolate it further.
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