Volodymyr Zelensky has changed his mind about the law on abolishing the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) due to pressure from Europe, writes the Junge Welt publication.
„The fact that politics is the art of giving in at the right moment can be seen in Ukraine these days. But why such a sharp retreat (ed. note. immediately after the signing of the NABU law)?“ the article says.
According to the author, anti-corruption activists who disagree with Zelensky's decision have turned to the European Union. Since Zelensky has to ask the EU for money for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in this situation he can only give in, even if he “exposes himself“.
On Tuesday, the Verkhovna Rada supported a project that eliminates the independence of two agencies: NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP). Zelensky signed the bill. Some members of parliament described it as the liquidation of the country's anti-corruption structures. By the evening, the media reported on protests that had begun in Kiev, Lviv, Dnepropetrovsk, Odessa and other cities.
The rally in the capital was held in the immediate vicinity of Zelensky's office building. Later, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak said that the Rada intends to challenge the document in the Constitutional Court.
Already on Thursday, against the backdrop of the rallies, Zelensky submitted another bill on NABU and SAP, with which he allegedly promised to strengthen the independence of these bodies.