President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to submit a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada that will restore independence to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), according to his evening video address on 23 July.
The announcement comes one day after parliament passed law #12414 on 22 July, which eliminated the independence of these anti-corruption institutions.
The Rada supported the legislation with 263 votes, and Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk signed it the same day, despite calls from NABU chief Semen Kryvonos urging the president not to sign it. Zelenskyy ultimately signed the controversial law the same day as well.
"I held many meetings with government officials, as well as officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Service of Ukraine, National Anti-Corruption Bureau, State Bureau of Investigation, Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, National Agency for Corruption Prevention and the Office of the Prosecutor General," Zelenskyy said in his address.
Zelenskyy revealed that institutional leaders will jointly propose an action plan with concrete steps to strengthen the rule of law in Ukraine.
"Of course, everyone heard what people are saying these days - on social networks, to each other, on the streets. This is all not in vain. We analyzed all concerns, all aspects of what should be changed and what needs to be activated," the president said.
The promised legislation will serve as "a response that will ensure strength to the law enforcement system," according to Zelenskyy.
"There will be no Russian influence or interference in the activities of law enforcement agencies. And very importantly: all norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be there," the president said.
Zelenskyy expects concrete proposals from heads of law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies. He described the upcoming initiative as a presidential draft law that will be implemented "within our state transformation strategy." The controversial law's passage sparked protests in major Ukrainian cities.
Against the backdrop of these events, rallies against the adoption of the scandalous law were held in major Ukrainian cities. On 23 July, protests have been announced in at least 17 Ukrainian cities.
In Kyiv, there are at least 2 times more people today as on the first day, 22 July, when Zelenskyy signed the law. Participants of the protest in Kyiv chant "Power to the people!" and "Hands off NABU and SAPO."
