Ukraine's parliament has passed a law that will tighten control over two anti-corruption agencies. President Volodymyr Zelensky has now approved it.

i

According to critics, the amendment to the law will give Ukraine's Prosecutor General new authority over investigations and cases handled by the anti-corruption authorities Nabu and Sapo, which could help weaken the bodies' independence.

– In practice, if this bill is passed, the head of Sapo will become a symbolic figure, while Nabu will lose its independence, says a joint statement from the bodies on Telegram.

EU summit: Serious setback

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos calls the decision a serious step backwards.

– Independent bodies like Nabu and Sapo are crucial for Ukraine's EU path. The rule of law remains central to the EU's accession negotiations, she writes on X.

– The dismantling of key security measures that protect Nabu's independence is a serious step backwards, she writes further.

The proposal was voted through the National Assembly on Tuesday with 263 votes in favor and 13 against.

Large demonstrations

There have been large demonstrations in Ukraine against the law. Several hundred protesters gathered in central Kyiv calling on Zelensky to veto the law.

“The bill is being rushed through,” says 26-year-old Anastasia, who works as a game developer.

“It is clear that this is a targeted effort,” she continues.

Demonstrations in Kyiv have been a rare sight since Russia's invasion in 2022.

Nabu started in 2015, when Kyiv was trying to bring the country closer to Europe after the pro-European revolution in 2014. The city council has since uncovered widespread corruption, including among people in Zelenskyy's administration.