EU condemns Zelensky’s ‘serious step back’ as mass protests break out in Kyiv streets over signing of his controversial anti-corruption bill
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took fire after signing a bill that eliminates the autonomy of the Anti -Corruption Agencies.
The movement triggered rare mass protests in Kiev and reacted from the European Union.
Hundreds of people went to the streets in the capital to reduce the legislation in a public anger demonstration that has not been seen since the beginning of Russia’s occupation.
Critics say that the law will now give Zelensky comprehensive control and allow political intervention to corruption investigations.
The European Union branded the decision of the President as a ‘serious step’ with a senior official who claims that the country could endanger the hopes of joining the block.
The EU, who wrote about X, condemned the vote by saying that the expansion commissioner Marta Kos said that independent anti -corruption institutions were ‘necessary for the EU way of Ukraine’.
He said: ‘He is seriously concerned about today’s vote. It is a serious step to dismantle the lock measures that maintain Nabu’s independence. ‘
On Wednesday, Zelenksy broke his silence in his reaction in a social media mission.
The movement triggered rare mass protests in Kiev and an angry reaction from the European Union
Hundreds of people went to the streets in the capital to reduce the legislation
A NGO warned that the prosecutor would stop investigations against all friends of the president, encouraging both corpses.
After a meeting with the anti -corruption organs at the center of the debate, he said: ‘We all share a common enemy: Russian invaders.
Defending the state of ‘and the Ukrainian state requires a strong enough law enforcement and corruption system that provides a real sense of justice.
‘Criminal proceedings should not be dragged for years without legal decisions. And employees against Ukraine should not feel comfortable or immune to the inevitability of the punishment.
“We have acknowledged that everyone will only work constructively. We all hear what society is saying. We see what people expect from state institutions – justice and the effective functioning of every institution.
“We have discussed the necessary administrative and legal decisions that will strengthen the work of each institution, solve the current contradictions and eliminate the threats. Everyone will work together. We will provide support at the political level. ‘
Despite the statement, the president did not explain that the legislation was reversed.
The law, which was approved by 13 to 263 votes in the Ukrainian Parliament, will authorize the Anti -Corruption Office (NABU) and the Anti -Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
While Nabu is assigned to investigate corruption in public institutions, SAPO deals with prosecution.
In a statement, the President said he had met with the anti -corruption organs in the center of the discussions, but did not announce the law reversed.
Protesters gathered outside the government buildings to express their anger and exploded at Boos and Jeers when the news was signed
Critics help to protest signs against the laws that critics say that they will seize swelling control of Zelensky and allow political intervention to corruption investigations.
Anti -Corruption Center, a NGO, warned that the bill would encourage both bodies and said that the prosecutor would stop investigations against all his friends’.
The protesters came together outside the government buildings to express their anger, and when the news was signed, BOOS and Jeers broke out.
A European diplomat speaking anonymously said that the decision to journalists was ‘unfortunate’.
According to AFP, the authority said: ‘Is this a setback? Yes. Is this a return point? NO.’
Meanwhile, the country’s former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who resigned from the government in 2024, said that ‘a bad day for Ukraine’.
He said: ‘Now the President has an option – not to stand by the people.’
Only the day before the vote, the law enforcement officers raided Nabu’s offices and detained a employee accused of espionage for Russia.
The International Office of Transparency in Ukraine described the raids as’ the attempt to weaken the post -revolutionary independence of the authorities’ after -revolutionary independence ‘.
Dmytro Külba, the former Minister of Foreign Minister of the country, who resigned from the government in 2024, said that a bad day for Ukraine
Ukraine ranked 105th from 180 countries in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index’s 2024 Corruption Index, which has been a significant development since 144 in 2013.
It was at the center of the country’s last anti -corruption driving, EU member and support from Western allies.
