KYIV — In a sweeping reversal fuelled by widespread civil unrest and mounting international pressure, Ukraine’s parliament has unanimously voted (331‑0) to restore the independence of its principal anti‑corruption agencies, the National Anti‑Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti‑Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
The move comes just days after lawmakers approved controversial legislation that transferred oversight of NABU and SAPO to the Prosecutor General’s Office, provoking nationwide protests—the largest since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Following the initial backlash, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced new legislation to reinstate the autonomy of these agencies, acknowledging public concerns and European Union warnings of possible funding cuts amid Ukraine’s ambitions for EU membership. He swiftly signed the new bill into law, thanking MPs in a social media statement.
Public Reaction and International Support
Mass rallies erupted across Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro and other cities, with demonstrators carrying slogans such as “Veto the law” and “Protect Ukraine’s future”. The protests culminated in celebratory scenes outside parliament once the reversal was confirmed.
European leaders welcomed the legislative reversal. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described it as a key step toward upholding the rule of law and advancing Ukraine’s European integration. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos had earlier warned that weakening anti‑corruption agencies would be a “serious step back” in accession talks.
Political Implications
The initial draft law of July 22 sparked intense speculation, as NABU and SAPO were pursuing corruption investigations involving sitting MPs—31 of whom remain under scrutiny. Critics argued the legislation appeared designed to shield political allies.
Under the new law, NABU and SAPO will operate independently once again, though additional measures like mandatory polygraph testing have been introduced to safeguard against Russian influence, according to Zelenskyy’s office.
Context and Significance
NABU and SAPO have been integral to Ukraine’s post‑Euromaidan reforms, delivering substantial corruption probes and contributing to Ukraine’s financial and institutional stability. In 2023 alone, they exposed multiple high‑level cases involving state officials, courts, and public enterprises with economic impacts exceeding UAH 4.7 billion.
The parliamentary restoration of independence marks a rare moment of political accountability during wartime—and underscores Ukraine’s democratic resilience under extreme pressures.
Source: Local News Agencies
