Editor’s note: This editorial has been updated to reflect the fact Zelensky signed the bill into law on the evening of July 22, as shown on the Parliament's website. Last week, we warned of a coming anti-democratic backslide. Now, we see it happening. A parliamentary vote, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s lawmakers, today took away the independence of Ukraine’s key anti-corruption bodies — the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). Z

Last week, we warned of a coming anti-democratic backslide. Now, we see it happening.

Under the new law, the prosecutor general, a notoriously non-independent figure, will now oversee anti-corruption investigations — in a complete overturn of the system that was set up to be independent from other law enforcement bodies.

In reality, it means that Zelensky’s office will be able to stop investigations with a phone call.

It also closely follows an escalated prosecution of Ukraine’s best-known anti-corruption activist, an outspoken critic of Zelensky.

  • pelespirit@sh.itjust.works
    41·
    4 days ago

    I don’t mind editorials with a name or names behind them because you then look them up and see what kind of intentions they have. This is no bueno.

    • HubertManne@piefed.socialEnglish
      5·
      4 days ago

      meh. I feel an editorial is like our comments on a news article. I sorta wish we could seperate news items and editorials.

      • pelespirit@sh.itjust.works
        3·
        4 days ago

        I can see that, but I disagree. If Bernie Sanders wrote an editorial about cleaning up politics, I would want to read that. I probably wouldn’t want to read about /u/ilovetits’s take on it.

        • HubertManne@piefed.socialEnglish
          2·
          4 days ago

          Separating news and editorial would not stop that though. You would just read it in an editorial community rather than a news one.