Under Pressure from Public Protests, Parliament Reinstates NABU and SAPO Autonomy

In a surprising but widely welcomed move, Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has rapidly passed legislation restoring the independence of its main anti-corruption institutions — the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

The decision comes after a wave of public outcry and protests across the country, as civil society groups, opposition leaders, and international partners sounded the alarm over a controversial law that had recently curbed the autonomy of these key agencies.

A Swift Reversal

The new legislation was approved at unprecedented speed, just days after the earlier amendments sparked a political and civic backlash. The initial reform, which critics labeled a “coup against transparency,” had transferred certain oversight powers from the anti-corruption bodies to a government-controlled supervisory board, raising concerns about political interference.

Amid growing unrest and visible mobilization in major Ukrainian cities, the Rada moved quickly to draft and vote on a new law. The bill passed with a strong majority, reflecting a rare moment of unity across party lines in response to the swelling pressure from the streets and strong criticism from the international community, including the European Union and the United States.

Civil Society’s Role

Ukraine’s vibrant civil society played a decisive role in this turnaround. Demonstrations, petitions, and media campaigns were instrumental in rallying public attention and pressuring lawmakers to reconsider their actions. Activist groups such as Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC) and Transparency International Ukraine were at the forefront of these efforts, organizing protests and publishing detailed reports on the potential consequences of the original law.

“We have shown that public oversight matters,” said Olena Halushka, a prominent anti-corruption advocate. “Our institutions must remain independent to fight corruption effectively, and today we defended that principle.”

International Watchdogs Applaud Move

The decision to reinstate the autonomy of NABU and SAPO has been welcomed by Ukraine’s Western allies. These institutions are seen as vital pillars in the country’s ongoing struggle to root out high-level corruption and align more closely with European governance standards. A joint statement from the EU delegation in Ukraine noted: “This is a positive step toward maintaining Ukraine’s reform momentum and fulfilling key EU accession requirements.”

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv also praised the move, calling it “a vital correction that strengthens Ukraine’s democratic institutions.”

Challenges Ahead

Despite the victory, challenges remain. Ukraine continues to grapple with deeply embedded corruption, exacerbated by the ongoing war with Russia and the strain it has placed on institutional resources. Anti-corruption efforts must be backed not just by legal independence, but also by financial support, political will, and sustained public engagement.

For now, however, the reinstatement of NABU and SAPO’s independence represents a hard-fought win for transparency, rule of law, and civic activism in a country striving to safeguard its democratic trajectory amid wartime adversity.

As Ukraine pushes forward on its path toward EU membership and broader democratic reform, the eyes of both its citizens and the world remain watchful — and hopeful.