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The President of the Ukrainian Valodimir Zelensky states that he approved the text of the draft law that guaranteed the freedom of two anti -corruption bodies in Ukraine – a few days after nationwide protests, changes that held their independence began.
The Western partners of Kyiv also expressed serious problems about the legislation.
On Thursday, Zelensky seemed to retreat, saying that the new bill was scheduled to defend the Independence of the National Bureau for Corruption of Ukraine (NABU) and the specialized prosecutor’s office for combating corruption (SAP), as well as to protect them from Russian influence.
He said the text of the bill was “balanced” but did not submit any details.
The law adopted earlier this week brought Nabu and the SPU under the control of the Prosecutor General appointed by the President.
At a time when Zelensky justified his decision to reduce the powers of bodies, citing Russian influence. On the eve of the Security Service of Ukraine, searches and arrests sent to allegedly Russian spies in the agency.
The admission of the legislation instantly provoked the biggest protests since the beginning of the full -scale invasion of Russia in February 2022. In several cities of Ukraine, and many are worried that the law will greatly undermine the powers and efficiency of Nabu and SAP.
Thousands of people gathered on the streets and squares across UkraineKeeping posters calling for the law.
Several commentators have accused Zelensky of a democratic lapel. Their concern was further worse when the Western partners of Ukraine signal about dissatisfaction with the bill.
Ukraine has the official status of the EU candidate and the press -secretary of the European Commission, Ursul von der Leyen, previously warned Kiev that the rule of law and the fight against corruption were “the main elements” of the block membership.
On Thursday, the commission stated that the government’s decision “welcomed” Ukraine to take measures against the bill.
“We work (with the Ukrainian government) to make sure our problems are … really taken into account,” the press secretary said.
Nabu and SAP were created in 2014-15 as one of the requirements provided by the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund to move to the visa restrictions between Ukraine and the EU.
Writing on Facebook, opposition MP Olekssey Goncherenko noted that Zelensky stated that “the independence of anti -corruption institutions should be guaranteed.”
“At first we will take it away, and then we say that it is guaranteed. So why all this?”
Zelensky did not recognize the protests and reactions on the social networks on Thursday, but stated that “it is important that we respected the position of all Ukrainians and be grateful to all who stand with Ukraine.”
