A dramatic turn of events shook the political landscape of Ukraine when the parliament in Kyiv took an unprecedented step, repealing a presidential bill just a week after its adoption. Young protesters managed to achieve significant political change, forcing the authorities to abandon the attempt to limit the independence of key anti-corruption institutions.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, thousands of young Ukrainians occupied the streets in front of the parliament, carrying placards with clear messages to the authorities. Their demands were clear – do not touch the independent anti-corruption structures National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution (Sap).
President Volodymyr Zelensky initially proposed a bill that essentially stripped these two agencies of their powers to investigate high-level corruption schemes. According to the original text, the right to determine the scope of investigations was to be transferred to the prosecutor general – directly appointed by the president.
The parliamentary vote was a turning point – deputies repealed the controversial law with an impressive 331 votes "for" and zero "against". This move demonstrated how civic pressure can trigger a quick political reaction in a democratic state.
For the young protesters, the issue was not merely formal. They understood that the independence of anti-corruption institutions is directly linked to Ukraine's European integration ambitions. The country received EU candidate status in 2022, but with a clear condition of serious fight against corruption.
Ukraine's Western partners set extremely high requirements for anti-corruption mechanisms. International donors and investors view the independence of Nabu and Sap as an absolutely mandatory condition for continuing financial support.
Experts see in this episode a dangerous signal for potential attempts to centralize power. The influential figure Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential administration, is seen as the main architect behind such attempts to limit institutional independence.
The financial consequences of such a scenario could be drastic. According to forecasts by the National Bank, Ukraine's budget deficit next year could reach 13 billion dollars. Loss of Western support would mean serious challenges to continuing the war with Russia.
Young Ukrainians showed that they are ready to actively defend their democratic institutions, even under conditions of ongoing military threat. Their civic activism became a real political instrument of influence, proving the vitality of Ukrainian democracy.
President Zelensky tried to present the event as proof of a functioning democratic system, stating on social media that "Ukraine is a democracy – there is no doubt about that".
This episode will undoubtedly remain an important moment in contemporary political history of Ukraine, showing the power of youth civic resistance and the society's ability to impose political changes.