Why the reform of the anti -corruption by Volodymyr Zelensky triggers demonstrations in Ukraine

The law adopted. Similarly, promulgated Tuesday reduces the independence of the two main bodies to combat corruption in Ukraine, placed under the supervision of a prosecutor appointed by the president. Consequently, The European Union has also expressed concern. Similarly,

A delicate turning point for Ukrainian democracy. While Russian strikes continue on the frontVolodymyr Zelensky promulgated. Furthermore, Tuesday, July 22, a controversial law which places the two main anti-corruption agencies of the country under the authority of the Attorney General, why reform anti -corruption volodymyr himself appointed by the president of Ukraine. Moreover, Justified by a concern for efficiency. For example, fight against “Russian influence”this reform worries certain opponents, for whom it strengthens the control of the executive. The European Union has asked for explanations from kyiv. Similarly, as are thousands of Ukrainians who demonstrated in kyiv and elsewhere in the countryTuesday then Wednesday, uniquely since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022.

The law signed by Volodymyr Zelensky represents “A very serious step back” Who “Contrad the promise of President Zelensky to end corruption when he was elected in 2019”Oksana Mitrofanova. Nevertheless, Ukrainian political scientist and teacher-researcher at Jean-Moulin-Lyon 3 University. For example, Created after the 2014 revolution. Meanwhile, responsible for tracking down cases of corruption among public officials, the National Anti-Corruption Office (NABU) and the Office of the Specialized Prosecutor (SAPO) are placed by this reform under the direct authority of the prosecutor. why reform anti -corruption volodymyr Moreover, A position currently held by Ruslan Kravchenko, faithful of Volodymyr Zelensky.

And “Before. Therefore, it was the head of the SAPO who directed these investigations against corruption”now, the Attorney General will be able to supervise his activities and “Entrust them to other prosecutors”explains Oksana Mitrofanova. Moreover, The Attorney General can also give “Mandatory written instructions” In Nabu. and interfere with any current case, explains the deputy for Roman opposition Lozynskyi to AFP.

Officially. the reform aims to “rid” the two institutions of the“Russian influence”justified for its part Volodymyr Zelensky on his channel Telegram, During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. He also attacked the results of the two institutions: “There is no rational explanation to the fact that criminal. procedures worth billions have been out of suspended ‘for years.”

But this evolution of the law worries professionals in the sector. “The head of the SAPO will become a symbolic figure. and why reform anti -corruption volodymyr the Nabu will lose its independence and will become a subdivision of the Office of the Attorney General”warned the two agencies in a joint statement published on Tuesday on Telegram.

Despite these warnings, the law has been voted and promulgated, in a precipitation underlined by The Economist. The amendment which places the SAPO. the NABU under the authority of the Attorney General was introduced Tuesday in the Parliament, at eight in the morning, during a commission convened urgently, in the absence of the president of the meeting and the majority of the members, reports the British weekly. Then integrated into a law debated in stride. and adopted with 263 votes for, 13 against and 13 abstentions, before being promulgated the same evening by the Ukrainian president.

This speed of execution challenges all the more since the national anti -corruption office. the specialized prosecutor investigated high -ranking political figures, notes the Ukrainian site why reform anti -corruption volodymyr The Kyiv Independentin particular the former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, a close to Volodymyr Zelensky. “This law can be seen as a means of protecting interests relatives. representatives of the current power, possibly accused in cases of embezzlement of money “analysis on its side Oksana Mitrofanova.

On Monday. the Ukrainian Security Services (SBU) announced the arrest of an official of the Nabu suspected of espionage for the benefit of Moscow and searched in the premises of this organization, which rejects these accusations. The Ukrainian branch of the NGO Transparency International had then denounced an operation aimed at “Discrediting the work of anti -corruption institutions” and alerted to a “Systematic pressure” exercised against them by the authorities. in a communiqué.

Tuesday. a few hours after the signing of the law, several hundred people gathered in front of the office of the Ukrainian president in kyiv, and in other cities such as why reform anti -corruption volodymyr Lviv and Odessa. The gatheringSicking to be prohibited for security reasons within the framework of martial law. these demonstrations represent the first wave of protest of this magnitude against power since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

For criticisms. this reform contradicts the very inheritance of previous historical manifestations, Maidan’s pro-European movement In 2014, which led to the fall of the pro-Russian president. “The law destroys advances. limited, but real, in the fight against corruption implemented “ After this turning point, comments Oksana Mitrofanova, adding that the text is perceived by the demonstrators “Like a danger to the young Ukrainian democracy”.

“The pro -democracy demonstrators fear that. if the law is maintained, it will destroy, from the inside, most of what they defended during the 2014 revolution.”

Oksana Mitrofanova, teacher-researcher at Jean-Moulin-Lyon University 3

in franceinfo

“We want to live in a normal country, with laws. No why reform anti -corruption volodymyr one wants to live in the most corrupt country in Europe”denounced Tuesday One of the demonstrators met by. Franceinfo in kyiv. “We have chosen Europe, not autocracy”said the sign of a demonstrated demonstrator By the BBC. “If this law passes, it will be more difficult for Ukraine to join the European Union. We will return to the dictatorship”worried a demonstrator interviewed by the Guardian.

The reform has indeed thrown a cold between kyiv and Brussels. The president of the European Commission. Ursula From the Leyen, A “expresses his lively concerns” et “Asked explanations from the Ukrainian government”said one of its spokespersons on Wednesday. The day before. Lhe European enlargement commissioner, Marta Kos, had denounced on x the “serious decline” represented by “The dismantling of essential guarantees protecting independence” of two instances “Essential” in the candidacy of Ukraine to integrate the EU. A spokesperson for the Commission recalled the same day that why reform anti -corruption volodymyr “The EU provides significant financial assistance to Ukraine. subject to progress in terms of transparency, judicial reform and democratic governance”reports Politico.

France also expressed its disapproval. “It is not too late for the Ukrainians to go back”. said on Wednesday on France Inter The Minister Delegate in charge of Europe, Benjamin Haddad. “When one is a candidate for the European Union. this leads to requirements in terms of the fight against corruption, preservation of the rule of law, respect for minorities, political oppositions or the independence of justice”he recalled. As for the G7. his ambassadors asked to meet the Ukrainian authorities to mention The growing pressure exerted on anti -corruption agencies.