Zelensky Faces Internal and External Criticism After Law Sparks Protests in Kyiv

Last night, Tuesday, July 22, witnessed angry protests in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, following President Volodymyr Zelensky's signing of a controversial law approved by parliament, which abolishes the independence of two key anti-corruption institutions.

Hundreds of protesters, mostly youth, gathered near the presidential headquarters in Kyiv, chanting slogans like "Shame, Shame," demanding the president to use his veto power to stop the law's implementation, as reported by the German news agency.

The protests spread to other cities such as Lviv, Odesa, and Dnipro, reflecting widespread rejection of this decision, which many consider a direct threat to anti-corruption efforts and the independence of oversight institutions in the country.

The head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, Artem Sytnyk, warned that the new law puts both the "National Anti-Corruption Bureau" and the "Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office" under government control, urging the president not to sign it, emphasizing that the move could harm Ukraine's path to joining the European Union.

Despite these warnings, Zelensky signed the law on Tuesday evening.

The European Commission expressed "grave concern," with Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kostyuk saying that the decision is a "dangerous step backwards" in Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts, stressing that respect for the rule of law is a fundamental element in EU accession negotiations.

On the other hand, the Ukrainian Security Service, directly under Zelensky, took action against several employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau on charges related to cooperation with Russia, which some see as an attempt to intimidate oversight institutions and undermine their role.

Zelensky has been facing accusations from critics of adopting authoritarian policies, especially amid escalating internal tensions and ongoing war.

Institutions aimed at combating corruption in Ukraine were established following the ousting of former President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014, as part of a Western-backed initiative.

Despite these efforts, Ukraine continues to be classified as one of the most corrupt countries in Europe, according to Transparency International.

Critics argue that some of these bodies have become tools of Western influence within Ukrainian politics.