Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a U-turn on his anti-corruption bill, which sparked fierce protests and international condemnation in Ukraine and abroad. The decision comes after weeks of public outcry and pressure from Western allies.
Zelenskyy’s about-face was prompted by widespread protests across Ukraine, with demonstrators calling for the restoration of independence for anti-corruption agencies. The president admitted that he had analyzed concerns raised by citizens and would propose a new bill to address these issues.
The original bill, which allowed Ukraine’s Prosecutor General to transfer cases from an independent anti-corruption agency, was criticized for undermining the rule of law system and allowing Russian influence over law enforcement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed strong concerns about the bill, calling it “a self-inflicted wound” for Ukraine.
Anti-corruption experts warn that the previous legislation would have allowed corruption to thrive, with one expert stating that it was “tantamount to being able to squash any legal accountability for corruption.” The decision by Zelenskyy has been hailed as a victory for transparency and accountability in Ukraine.
However, the turmoil in Ukraine comes at a critical time, with Russia escalating large-scale missile and drone strikes on major cities. Western allies remain concerned that the country’s instability could jeopardize its bid to join the European Union.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/zelenskyy-forced-rethink-anti-corruption-law-after-public-backlash