The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he had approved a bill on the independence of specialized anti-corruption services, which will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) today, Ukrinform reported, citing a publication on “Telegram“.
“I have just approved the text of a bill that guarantees the true strengthening of the rule of law in Ukraine, the independence of anti-corruption bodies, and reliable protection of the rule of law from any Russian influence or interference. The text is balanced“, Zelensky wrote.
According to him, the most important thing is to have real tools, no Russian connections, and the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP).
“It is important to maintain unity. It is important to maintain independence. It is important to respect the position of all Ukrainians and we are grateful to everyone who supports Ukraine“, Zelensky stressed.
It is still unclear when the parliament, which is expected to go on summer vacation this week, will consider the bill.
Ukrinform recalls that on July 22, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law limiting the powers of NABU and SAP, and Zelensky signed it the same day. Deputies have begun collecting signatures for a complaint to the Constitutional Court regarding the law.
Zelensky said yesterday that he would propose a bill that would include all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions.
Meanwhile, protests have been continuing for two days in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities against the law limiting the powers of NABU and SAP.
Critics have condemned the government's measures, which placed the anti-corruption institutions under the control of a prosecutor appointed by Zelensky, Reuters notes. According to them, the government's actions look like exerting political pressure on the agencies.
European officials have sharply criticized the restriction of the independence of anti-corruption institutions.
Zelensky's announcement today left a number of ambiguities, the Associated Press notes. He said yesterday that he had met with the heads of Ukraine's key anti-corruption and security agencies and given them two weeks to present recommendations before submitting a new bill to parliament.
However, new street protests are scheduled for tonight.
It was also unclear whether Zelensky intended to repeal the law, which was passed by parliament earlier in the week. He also did not provide details about the proposed new bill.