How thousands of young people made Ukraine reversed a law with which Zelensky sought to limit the country's anti -corruption agencies

Young people sitting on the ground shouting slogans, with banners and cell phones — Photo foot, The Ukrainian young people concentrated outside Parliament on Thursday when legislators voted to revoke a controversial law.

- Author, Zhanna Bezpiachuk
- Author's title, BBC News, Kyiv
31 minutes

While the Ukrainian deputies gathered in the Parliament of Kyiv, on Thursday, some of them showed posters that said: “We are with our people.”

It was a message addressed to thousands of young people who had participated in the greatest anti -government protests since the beginning of the Russian invasion, in February 2022.

On Thursday, they left again to express their discontent.

The deputies entered the Rada, the Parliament, and participated in a vote that revoked as an overwhelming majority a law presented by President Volodymyr Zelensky last week.

This law limited the independence of two anti -corruption agencies, considered key, which are known as NABU and SAP: the National Anti -Corruption Office and the Prosecutor's Office specialized in anti -corruption.

The banners carried by the deputies in front of the Rada were a wink to the banners of thousands of young people who had taken to the streets in towns and cities of Ukraine for almost a week.

The protesters demanded that Zelensky and their government “separate their hands” from the two anti -corruption organizations and threatened to continue until the government took a turn.

In a matter of days, he did.

With the EU in the sights

Zelensky's original bill had stripped both agencies of his independent authority to decide who to process in cases of high level corruption, granting that prerogative to the Attorney General, who is appointed by the President.

For protesters who waved banners, safeguarding the independence of Nabu and SAP is as crucial for their European future as the war against Russia is a matter of life or death for their country.

Two deputies hold a cardboard poster that says "We are with the people". — Photo foot, Two deputies with a poster that says “we are with the people.”

In 2022, Kyiv obtained the coveted country status candidate for the European Union, but on the condition that he undertook a credible struggle against corruption.

For the Western allies of Ukraine – children and investors who put money in the country through international assistance and financing programs – the existence and independence of both anti -corruption agencies are unnegociable.

And for Ukraine and its economy devastated by war, that external financial aid is crucial.

Just ten days before, the deputies had supported the controversial law of Zelensky, and even so, on Thursday they voted 331 in favor and 0 against to cancel it. On both occasions, they seemed to follow the direction of Zelensky.

“Ukraine is a democracy; there are definitely no doubt,” said the president on social networks.

Many Ukrainians see the influence of Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's right hand, in the recent decisions of the president.

The Yermak position as head of the Presidential Office is not regulated by the Constitution or limited by any system of controls and balances. And his role in Ukrainian democracy is questioned.

The safeguarding of democracy and the path of Ukraine towards European integration were the main reasons for young people to manifest, while their parents and friends defended their country in the first fighting line.

Implications

The parliamentarians did everything possible to demonstrate that the problem was solved, but this crisis has left an unpleasant sensation.

He has put in question Zelensky's commitment to anti -corruption reforms.

The fact that it seems willing to give in these reforms may have seriously affected the confidence that the EU deposited in it.

Some linked the government attempt to restrict the independence of Nabu and SAP. Influential figures from the Zelensky circle have been subject to scrutiny, and some face charges or are being investigated.

Volodymyr Zelensky — Photo foot, President Zelensky has tried to guarantee Ukrainians that his democracy is in good hands.

Zelensky's decision also occurred after the government rejected a candidate selected by an independent commission to direct the Economic Security Office, the main agency for the investigation of economic crimes in Ukraine.

The official reason why Oleksandr Tsyvinski did not get the position was that he did not obtain security permit by the Security Service, which is under the control of the President.

However, Tsyvinski is a renowned anti -corruption expert and the commission who chose him still wants his designation.

All these elements resulted in one of the greatest power crises for the Zelensky team since he came to power in 2019.

Three and a half years after the beginning of the war on a large scale, the risk of new errors could cost a significant price.

Next year, the Ukrainian budget deficit could reach US $ 13,000 million, according to an estimate of the National Bank. Kyiv could not continue to fight if I lost the support of its western allies.

The EU has already reduced part of its financial aid to Ukraine because the government has not complied with the promised reforms.

The young Ukrainian protesters seem to have understood perfectly and were prepared to challenge their government in a country where they decided to stay despite the mortal threat of attacks with Russian drones and missiles.