KYIV, Ukraine — Thousands of people gathered in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine on Tuesday to urge the president to veto a controversial bill that threatens anti-corruption infrastructure. It marked the first major rally against the government in more than three years of war.
Ukraine ’s parliament passed legislation that will tighten oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies, which critics say could significantly weaken their independence and give President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s circle greater sway over investigations. Zelenskyy signed the bill into law, according to the parliament’s website late Tuesday.
Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid. The legislation’s passage has triggered public outrage in Ukraine, with some saying it appeared to be a greater moral blow than the routine Russian drone and missile attacks.
The changes would grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
“In effect, if this bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general’s office,” the agencies said in a joint statement on Telegram.
In a post on X, the EU’s Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern over the vote in the parliament, called the Rada, calling it “a serious step back.”
Kos added: “Independent bodies like NABU & SAPO are essential for Ukraine’s EU path. Rule of Law remains in the very cente