Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved a controversial new law that reduces the independence of the country’s top anti-corruption bodies. His decision has sparked widespread protests in the capital, Kyiv, and drawn criticism from both local officials and European leaders.

Parliament Passes Disputed Bill

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s Parliament, known as the Verkhovna Rada, passed a bill that gives more power to the country’s prosecutor general. This move weakens two important agencies—the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. Critics say the law lets the government decide which corruption cases to pursue and which ones to ignore.

Fears of Rising Authoritarianism

Many opposition voices now accuse the Zelenskyy administration of slowly sliding toward authoritarianism. They argue that the government is ignoring corruption within the system, especially while the country is still at war with Russia. Some worry this law could protect corrupt officials rather than punish them.

Public and International Backlash

The bill has faced strong pushback. Leaders of both NABU and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office expressed concern. A top European Union official also criticized the legislation. Their warnings added momentum to the protests.

Protests in Kyiv

Soon after the bill passed, about 1,500 people gathered near President Zelenskyy’s office in Kyiv. Protesters held placards and chanted slogans like “Shame” and “Veto the law.” The protest was the largest seen since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

One protester told The Guardian, “We don’t want to be like Russia. Zelenskyy is still our president. But when he does the wrong things we will say so.

This growing unrest reflects deep frustration among Ukrainians who supported anti-corruption reforms, and now feel betrayed by a government they once trusted.