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The European Union continues to keep an eye on events unfolding within Ukraine after new laws undermining the independence of the two anti-corruption institutions prompted the bloc’s first responsibilities since the initiation of a full-scale Russian invasion.
The law, approved by the Ukrainian Parliament and signed by President Volodymea Zelensky at a speed that made Brussels stand out, has now directed the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), direct oversight of future candidates, political appointees,
Prosecutors are now permitted to select cases handled by Nabu and SAPO and reassign them to entities in other states. Critics say there is a risk that government agencies will shake up and perhaps strengthen their high-profile investigations. Prosecutors can also give binding instructions to the agency.
change Run the counter To the European Commission’s view that considers both the Nab and the Sapo’s cornerstone in the fight against corruption. Last year’s expanded report highlighted that SAPO has become a “separate corporation” from the prosecutor’s office and recommended that the head of SAPO be allowed to open an investigation into Congressional members “independently” from the prosecutors.
In response to the backslide, the committee president, Ursula von der Leyen, personally reached out to Zelenkie.
“President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the outcome of the amendments and she requested an explanation from the Ukrainian government,” a spokesperson for the committee said Wednesday.
“Respect for the rule of law and the fight against corruption is a central component of the European Union. As a candidate country, Ukraine is expected to fully maintain these standards. We cannot compromise.”
Zelenskyyy amid pressure from street protests across Ukraine and warnings from European officials I made a U-turn He then introduced a new bill in what he called “a full-scale guarantee of the independence of anti-corruption agencies.” His proposals include the usual polygraphs for Nab and SAPO employees, dealing with state secrets.
The text was presented to the country’s parliament, Verkhovna Rada, on Thursday. Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk confirmed that it will be considered on July 31st.
“During consideration of this draft, I propose to immediately adopt it on the basis and as a whole, and support its urgent signature,” Stefanchuk said. I said.
In a joint statement, Nabu and Sapo said the new law restored “the guarantee of authority and independence of all due process” and encouraged its approval “as soon as possible.”
Brussels carefully celebrated the comeback.
“We welcome the fact that the Ukrainian government is taking action and we will work with them to ensure that our clear-cut concerns are actually taken into account,” a spokesperson for the committee said Thursday afternoon before the contents of the presidential bill were accessible.
The committee is primarily satisfied with the draft text, a familiar source told Euronows, but will not publicly support it until all objections are properly eased. Brussels is providing technical assistance to Kyiv to fine-tune legislative details.
In the meantime, Zelenskyy made the headline after vehemently denied that a phone conversation with Von Der Leyen had been taking place.
“I haven’t communicated with Ursula von der Reyen recently. Everything written about it, everything she said to me is fake. We weren’t having a conversation,” he said. Interfax News Agency.
The committee did not comment on Zelenskyy’s remarks.
