A major political crisis is unfolding around attempts to dismantle two key anti-corruption institutions in Ukraine—NABU and SAPO. These organizations are seen as vital for Ukraine's European integration and continued Western support, particularly during wartime. Maintaining their independence is crucial to international trust.
Despite public claims of “victory,” the situation is more complex: new legislative norms allow investigative bodies to enter the homes of suspects without a court order or warrant. This raises concerns about the inviolability of private life and the presumption of innocence.
The issue of polygraph testing has turned into a populist measure presented as a fight against corruption, but high-ranking officials—not just NABU detectives—should undergo such checks. Meanwhile, the new law preserves the Prosecutor General's influence over SAPO, which poses risks of political interference in anti-corruption investigations. The Prosecutor General receives broad powers, including dismissing prosecutors for various reasons and reassigning cases between bodies during martial law.
Retaining the principle of multiple investigative bodies and altering the system for resolving jurisdictional disputes means the Prosecutor General may gain access to materials from numerous anti-corruption cases. This creates grounds for potential pressure on anti-corruption probes and a threat to their independence.
In summary, efforts to undermine anti-corruption institutions have highlighted a crisis in Ukrainian parliamentarism. The decision-making system in the Verkhovna Rada demonstrates a lack of balance among branches of power and parliamentarians’ self-respect, which may ultimately hinder reforms and cooperation with Western partners.
