Ukrainian Parliament approves restoring independence of anti-corruption agencies

Ukraine’s Parliament voted on Thursday (July 31, 2025) to restore the independence of two key anti-corruption agencies, moving to defuse the country’s biggest political crisis since Russia’s invasion.

Lawmakers voted 331 to 0 in favor of the Bill, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted last week following pressure from thousands of protesters and top European officials.

The measure now goes to Mr. Zelenskyy for a signature.

Last week’s decision by President Zelenskyy to transfer two premier oversight institutions under the authority of the prosecutor general triggered widespread outrage across the country, among European officials, and within international human rights circles. The change was swiftly interpreted as a move that could enable political interference in criminal investigations—raising serious concerns that senior figures or allies might be insulated from scrutiny.

Domestic public trust deteriorated rapidly. Mass street demonstrations erupted in multiple cities in Ukraine, marking the first large-scale protests since the onset of wartime conditions. Citizens voiced frustration over what they perceived as a regression in institutional independence and democratic accountability. Many protesters warned that the newly enabled power center could exert undue influence over critical investigations—a risk to the credibility of justice mechanisms built up over more than a decade of reforms The Times+9euronews+9KPRC+9.

EU officials issued sharp condemnations. The European Commission, including its president, emphasized that the measure was a “serious step back” and contrary to the principles required for candidate status within the European Union. Representatives warned that any erosion of independent oversight bodies could jeopardize continued eligibility for Western aid and halt accession talks. European diplomats underscored the link between institutional autonomy and the broader integration agenda—indicating that without correction, the country could face long-term diplomatic and economic fallout European ConservativeRegTech TimesThe Washington Post.

Rights organizations voiced alarm. International watchdog groups pointed out that the restructuring undermined the credibility and operational integrity of agencies that had been deliberately built to operate independently of political pressure. The swift legislative rollback was viewed as a direct threat to the Ukraine’s democratic foundations and legal norms. Critics argued that such intervention could compromise investigations into high-level wrongdoing and discourage whistleblowers from coming forward Financial TimesWDIO.com.

The broader political fallout was immediate. Distrust surfaced not only from the public but also within political factions. Some lawmakers openly questioned leadership motives and called the unilateral legislative maneuver an overreach fueled by wartime power. Analysts noted that the law had been rushed through with minimal debate, raising alarms about parliamentary procedure and transparency Financial TimesEuropean Conservative.

International stakeholders linked the move to reform rollback. Supporters of democratic development emphasized that dismantling institutional safeguards risked reversing years of progress. European and transatlantic partners stated that access to billions in aid depended on sustained governance standards—institutions deliberately insulated from executive control. This linkage made clear that any regression could jeopardize both material assistance and political solidarity nypost.comAP News.

In short, the measure elevated fears that the executive branch could exert undue influence over critical investigative processes, possibly shielding key figures from scrutiny. Critics warned that, by diminishing independence, the move imperiled foundational trust in legal institutions—both domestically and internationally. Only after sustained backlash did leadership signal an intent to reverse course, highlighting how essential independent watchdogs are viewed, not only as judicial mechanisms, but as symbols of reform, transparency, and global partnership.