By allowing the presidency and the prosecution to intervene directly in the appointment of executives or the orientation of investigations, the reform opened the door to a politicization of sensitive affairs, particularly those involving personalities close to power. “”The law adopted yesterday is an advance in the right direction. It does not completely restore the status quo concerning the Office of the Attorney General, but it restores the independence of the anti-corruption bodies “analyzes the deputy and former Deputy Prime Minister responsible for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Ivanna Klympouch-Tsintsadzé.
Population resilience
These demonstrations, the first since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, then the decline in government, offered a rare recall of the resilience of Ukrainian civil society, however subject to existential pressure, and its ability to defend democratic values.
The same evening of July 22, as soon as the adoption of Law No. 12414, calls to be demonstrated in several metropolitan areas had been quickly shared on social networks: in front of the Ivan Franko theater in kyiv, dozens of signs and slogans recalled the symbolic and political importance of the anti -corruption bodies created after Maidan, while others called the Ukrainian President Volodymyr. Zelensky to make use of his veto right against the law.
“I remember the creation of Nabu and Sapo as a key moment. It was not a total success, but it was a good course. We felt that the country went in the right direction “explained Ihor, one of the demonstrators descended on July 22 in the streets of the capital. In addition to the pressure of civil society, many international partners of Ukraine had expressed their concern following the adoption of law n ° 12414, and some had even threatened to suspend the granting of part of the financial aid in kyiv, including a tranche of 1.5 billion euros expected from the European Union.
Russia intensifies its hybrid operations on European soil: “Moscow has never ceased to conduct clandestine operations in Europe”
Taken in vice, the government had no choice but from Retropedaler, estimates Ivanna Klympoush-Tsintsadzé: “Many who had voted to deprive the anti-corruption bodies of their independence, and who this time voted in favor of it-partly because of the pressure of the street and that of our partners. “
Deep political problem
If the law passed on July 31 represents an undeniable success for the defenders of the rule of law, some observers warn against too optimistic reading of the situation: the unanimity of this Thursday vote thus contrasts strongly with the almost-majority support which benefited the initial version of the law, a week earlier.
For MP Klympouch-Tsintsadzé, this reversal underlines a deeper problem within the Ukrainian political class: “It is worrying to note that many of our colleagues at the radius do not have the autonomy necessary to defend what they consider right. “
According to her, recent events are characteristic of the too great submission of legislative power to the presidency. “”As Parliament, we must restore the balance of powers, which has been lost because of the submission of the majority to the presidential office.”
In Ukraine, reconstructive surgery offers a new life to the veterans: “You have changed outside, but you are still my dad”
The government’s flip-flop will therefore have made it possible to repair, at least partially, the damage caused by the adoption of the reform, and illustrates the vitality and resilience of Ukrainian civil society. Faced with a government attempted to centralize powers in the name of security imperatives, it must however redouble vigilance in the days and weeks to come.
