Lithuanian president endorses amendments to Ukraine's anti-corruption law following criticism.
In a significant development, Ukraine has adopted a new anti-corruption law, marking a crucial step in the fight against corruption and reaffirming the country's commitment to democratic governance. The law, which was initially met with massive protests and international concern, restores the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).
The new law comes after a previous amendment placed these agencies under the direct control of the Prosecutor General, a move that ended their independence and raised fears of political interference in key corruption probes. This development was a significant blow to Ukraine's democracy and its aspirations to join the European Union, which has strongly supported Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms.
The background of this law lies in a broader political context: NABU and SAPO were created after the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution to serve as independent bodies investigating high-level corruption without presidential or prosecutorial influence. This independence was viewed as a crucial reform for Ukraine's democracy and its aspirations to join the European Union.
The initial 2024 law met strong criticism domestically and internationally, including from Ukrainian civil society groups, opposition lawmakers, watchdogs, and the EU partners who feared Ukraine was backtracking on essential reforms. Protests erupted in Kyiv and other cities demanding the law be vetoed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who nevertheless signed it.
However, under intense pressure from mass protests and European Union partners, the Ukrainian government reversed course within days. By the end of July/beginning of August 2024, a new law was adopted that restored the independence of NABU and SAPO, removing their subordination to the Prosecutor General and thereby reestablishing their role as autonomous anti-corruption watchdogs.
The EU has provided Ukraine substantial support (over $178 billion since early 2022) and regards these anti-corruption bodies as key institutions for meeting European standards. The EU stated on Thursday that the Ukrainian parliament had addressed key concerns about the independence of the agencies by approving the new anti-corruption law.
The new law was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament with 331 votes in favor and nine abstentions. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda welcomed the new anti-corruption law adopted in Ukraine on Thursday, calling it a victory in the fight against corruption and a significant step in the fight against corruption. The Lithuanian leader congratulated the President of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada on the adoption of the new law.
This episode demonstrates the political sensitivity surrounding anti-corruption reforms in Ukraine amid the ongoing war and its aspirations for EU integration. The new law is a victory in the fight against corruption, as stated by the Lithuanian leader, and a significant step in the fight against corruption, according to the Lithuanian leader. President Zelensky acknowledged the need for more dialogue before the law was adopted, as he had initially proposed it. The law empowers NABU and SAPO to operate effectively, providing a much-needed boost to Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts.
Transparency International ranked Ukraine 105th out of 180 countries in its Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, an improvement from its 144th ranking in 2013. The new law is expected to further improve Ukraine's standing in the fight against corruption, demonstrating the country's commitment to democratic governance and its European aspirations.
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