Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a new bill to secure the independence of anti-corruption bodies. The move is a response to growing protests against a law he signed that was enacted last week.
The previous law was enacted on July 22 to place two anti-corruption agencies under the control of the president-appointed prosecutor general.
Nationwide protests erupted against the law, which would jeopardize the agencies’ independence from the administration. Some European countries have also voiced concerns about the law.
Last week, Zelenskyy submitted a new bill designed to protect the independence of the two agencies with the president-appointed prosecutor general in place.
The new law was enacted on Thursday after the parliament passed the bill and the president signed it.
Zelenskyy said in a video message, “It is very important that the state listens to public opinion.”
Crowds watched the video near the parliament building and cheered when the law was enacted.
A woman in her 40s said the president made the right decision and the issue has been resolved. She added that corruption is one of Ukraine’s major problems and it needs to be controlled.
A man in his 30s said European countries have been urging Ukraine to set up anti-corruption bodies. He said the recent developments have surely damaged Ukraine’s reputation
