Ukraine Parliament Reverses Controversial Law, Restores Independence of Anti-Corruption Agencies

Mass Protests Spark Swift Reversal

Ukraine’s parliament on July 31 overwhelmingly passed a bill restoring independence to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), following widespread domestic protests and international backlash over a previous law that had undermined both institutions.

The new bill passed with unanimous support—331 votes in favor and none against—and was approved in two back-to-back readings, according to the Kyiv Independent. The legislation was immediately signed by Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk and now awaits President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s signature.

Cheers erupted in a nearby Kyiv park where demonstrators, mostly youth, had gathered as the news of the vote broke. The vote marked a rare moment of televised parliamentary proceedings, the first since the Russian invasion began in 2022, and followed days of mass protests against the earlier legislation.

Backlash to Earlier Bill Prompted Rallies

The initial legislation, passed on July 22 and supported by members of Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People party, was widely criticized for dismantling the structural independence of NABU and SAPO—two agencies created under post-Euromaidan reforms to combat high-level corruption.

Following public outcry and mounting pressure from Ukraine’s international allies, Zelenskyy proposed a corrective bill just two days later. The Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC) praised the move, stating the new legislation would “restore the principles previously dismantled by the Verkhovna Rada,” as reported by the Kyiv Independent.

EU, Allies Praise Ukraine’s Swift Action

The European Commission responded positively to the vote. Enlargement spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said, as quoted by The Guardian:

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos also welcomed the vote, stating that “today’s law restores key safeguards, but challenges remain.” She emphasized the importance of continuing reforms and supporting Ukrainian citizens’ demands for accountability.

The Rada corrected last week’s damaging vote undermining NABU’s & SAPO’s independence. Today’s law restores key safeguards, but challenges remain.

The EU supports 🇺🇦 citizens’ demands for reform.

Upholding fundamental values & fighting corruption must remain the priority.

— Marta Kos (@MartaKosEU) July 31, 2025

Official Support from Ukrainian Government

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha praised the outcome on social media, calling it a “principled approach” by President Zelenskyy and confirming that the bill passed with a “constitutional majority.”

President @ZelenskyyUa’s bill ensuring the independence of anticorruption infrastructure has just been approved in the Ukrainian parliament.

Overwhelming constitutional majority, 331 votes for. President demonstrated a principled approach.

Ukraine is committed to reforms and… pic.twitter.com/oHiT6gpxKJ

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) July 31, 2025

The government reaffirmed its commitment to reform, EU accession, and NATO integration, reinforcing Ukraine’s strategic direction in the face of internal and external challenges.

Protests Reflect Citizens’ Reform Demands

Protests in Kyiv and across Ukraine began immediately after the initial bill’s passage. Crowds assembled outside both the presidential residence and parliament, demanding the preservation of anti-corruption institutions. The Guardian reported the demonstrations were largely attended by younger Ukrainians, many of whom viewed the rollback of oversight as a betrayal of the 2014 Maidan spirit.

In a dramatic twist, lawmakers from across the aisle delivered impassioned speeches during the July 31 session—some critical of the president—and one altercation even broke out between deputies. Despite the tension, the consensus to restore NABU and SAPO’s autonomy was clear.

The Bottom Line

The Ukrainian parliament’s unanimous reversal of last week’s controversial anti-corruption law signals a major political recalibration. Driven by citizen pressure and global scrutiny, the vote has reassured Ukraine’s allies and re-established safeguards critical to Ukraine’s path toward EU membership.

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