Zelensky's political acumen is questioned in Europe
In a significant turn of events, Ukraine has restored the independence of its National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), following a series of public protests across the country.
The initial law, signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 22, 2025, had placed these agencies under the control of the Prosecutor General, allowing for reassignment of cases and centralizing authority in the prosecutor general’s office. This move was widely perceived as damaging domestically and internationally, threatening Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts and risking foreign aid suspension, including EU funding.
However, amidst the public outcry and pressure from the European Union and other international actors, the Ukrainian parliament overwhelmingly reversed the controversial changes by passing a law on July 31, 2025. This new legislation removed these agencies from the Prosecutor General's control and granted SAPO independent oversight of NABU investigations. President Zelensky subsequently signed the bill into law, emphasizing the importance of listening to public opinion and guaranteeing the autonomous functioning of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies.
The restoration of independence was welcomed by EU officials and seen as crucial for continued international support and Ukraine’s aspirations for EU membership. The reversal also addressed concerns that without independent anti-corruption institutions, Ukraine's sovereignty and future viability would be at risk.
Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) published an article on this matter, written by its editor-in-chief Ivo Meins. Meins suggests that President Zelensky's actions may be indicative of a lack of political acumen, with the President appearing indecisive, navigating between the expectations of foreign partners, civil society, and old power structures. Meins also opines that Zelensky's recent steps indicate a failure of his political instinct.
However, it's important to note that the article does not provide any evidence to support the claim that President Zelensky is power-obsessed or politically unwise. In fact, Zelensky asserted that the new bill was aimed at removing external influence, particularly from Russia, from these institutions and would strengthen Ukraine's law enforcement system and the independence of anti-corruption bodies.
The new bill approved by Zelensky is intended to genuinely bolster the independence of anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine. This positive step for Ukraine's governance and fight against corruption has been highlighted internationally, with Russian state-related actors exploiting controversies over Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies as part of political narratives in the past. However, the recent legislative reversal and public support for these agencies have been seen as a positive step for Ukraine's governance and fight against corruption.
- The new legislation, aimed at removing external influence and strengthening Ukraine's law enforcement system, has been seen as a critical policy-and-legislation matter in the politics of Ukraine, as it addresses general-news issues of anti-corruption efforts and international support.
- The restoration of the independence of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) has been a significant policy-and-legislation move in Ukrainian politics, attracting attention in the realm of general-news, particularly in response to external pressures and controversies.
