The world is sounding the alarm: Zelensky's anti-corruption law threatens investment and reconstruction

The OECD has warned Ukraine that weakening the independence of NABU and SAPO could disrupt investment in defense and reconstruction, as well as prevent accession to the organization. Despite calls to veto Law No. 12414, President Zelensky signed it, raising concerns among international partners.

This was stated in a letter addressed to Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Iryna Mudra, a copy of which is available to Yevropeiska Pravda.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has warned Ukraine that undermining the independence of anti-corruption bodies could negatively affect investment in defense and financial support for the country's reconstruction. The letter expresses concerns about Law No. 12414, which weakens the positions of the NABU and the SAPO.

The document, dated July 22, was signed by Julia Fromholz, Head of the OECD Anti-Corruption Department. She expressed concern over the adoption of this law, which, in her opinion, significantly undermines the independence of Ukraine's key anti-corruption agencies. Despite the warnings, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law the same day.

The OECD believes that the adoption of the law could be seen as a violation of Ukraine's anti-corruption commitments and would also call into question its continued accession to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and to the organization itself. If the law is not corrected, it will damage the country's international reputation and deter foreign partners from investing in the military and reconstruction.

Fromholz emphasized the need for legislative changes to preserve the independence of anti-corruption institutions and called on the Ukrainian authorities to treat this issue with maximum responsibility.

Even before the vote, the European Commission had expressed concern about the situation around NABU and SAPO, emphasizing that these bodies are key to the successful implementation of reforms. EU Enlargement Commissioner Martha Kos also criticized the adoption of the law.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Taras Kachka assured that Ukraine was not giving up the fight against corruption. After signing the law, the President said that the anti-corruption system would continue to function, but without external influence, including Russian influence.

On July 22, the Verkhovna Rada passes a law transferring control over the NABU and the SAPO to the Prosecutor General's Office, despite warnings from experts, opposition forces, and the European Union. All MPs from Mykolaiv region, the majority of MPs from Odesa region, and some from Kherson region voted in favor of the law, despite warnings of risks to the independence of the anti-corruption agencies.

After President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the controversial law No. 12414, the only way to repeal it is to appeal to the Constitutional Court. According to Yaroslav Zheleznyak, MP from the Voice faction, there were violations of the rules of procedure during the voting, which gives grounds for a constitutional appeal. Currently, the documents are being prepared and signatures are being collected, which requires at least 45 signatures.

Анна Бальчінос