Zelenskyy Faces a Political Nightmare as His Own People Protest His New Law

Key Points and Summary – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who rose to power on an anti-corruption platform, is now facing a major political crisis.

-After he signed a law curbing the independence of the nation’s key anti-corruption agencies, thousands of Ukrainians have taken to the streets in the first significant protests since the war began.

-The move has also drawn sharp warnings from the European Union, which stated the decision could jeopardize Ukraine’s path to membership.

-In the face of this widespread backlash, Zelenskyy has acknowledged the public’s concerns and has now promised to propose a new bill to reverse course.

After Huge Protests, Zelenskyy Is Forced into a Humiliating U-Turn.

Ukraine has long been known for having a corruption problem. The firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor, known for being soft on corruption, helped bring about the conditions for Donald Trump’s first impeachment, which resulted from a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy himself was first elected to the presidency of Ukraine on a platform of strident anti-corruption measures, and has fired officials for this reason during his presidency.

Now, in a controversial decision, Zelenskyy has signed a bill that would weaken Ukraine’s anti-corruption regime.

Zelenskyy signed a law this week that will curb the independence of the nation’s two leading anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.

Per NBC News, the new law gives the president’s prosecutor general sweeping powers over those agencies. The goal was to root out “Russian influence.”

“Criminal cases should not drag on for years without verdicts, and those working against Ukraine must not feel comfortable or immune from punishment,” Zelenskyy said in public comments this week.

However, Ukrainians haven’t seen it that way, and have protested against the decision, in what have emerged as the first significant street protests against Zelenskyy’s government since the start of Russia’s war more than three years ago.

Out on the Streets

Per the Associated Press, thousands have gathered in streets in Ukrainian cities to protest the government action.

“Defiant crowds gathered in the capital Kyiv on Tuesday, as well as Lviv in the west, with smaller groups gathering in Dnipro in the east and Odesa in the south, after Ukraine’s Parliament — the Verkhovna Rada — approved a bill that grants oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies to the prosecutor general, a politically appointed figure,” CNN said of the protests.

Protesters in Kyiv were shown chanting “shame” in reaction to the passing of the law.

In addition, European Union officials have also begun to speak out against the move, with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul declaring on X that the anti-corruption pullback could prevent Ukraine’s hoped-for eventual membership in the EU.

“The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU’s independence is a serious step back. Independent bodies like NABU & SAPO, are essential for (the) EU path. Rule of Law remains in the very center of EU accession negotiations,” Marta Kos, a European Union official, said this week.

The protests arrive as Ukraine continues to face bombardment from the Russians.

The Kremlin-controlled RT network, meanwhile, posted video to X of the protests, while declaring, “This is Kiev right NOW. Crowds chanting anti-Zelensky slogans in the capital. Furious over his law destroying autonomy of key anti-corruption agencies. Do you see this on Western media?”

The truth is, the protests have been extensively reported on by Western media, including the New York Times, CNN, The BBC, and numerous other outlets in the U.S. and Europe.

Zelenskyy Responds

The Ukrainian leader has responded to the street protests.

“Everyone has heard what people are saying these days – on social media, to each other, on the streets. It’s not falling on deaf ears. We analyzed all concerns, all aspects of what needs to be changed and what needs to be stepped up,” Zelenskyy said in a video posted to his X account this week.

“I will propose a bill to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine that will be the response. It will ensure the strength of the rule of law system, and there will be no Russian influence or interference in the activities of law enforcement. And very importantly – all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place.”

About the Author: Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.

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