Ukrainian protests biggest threat ever to Zelensky's presidency

AllAfrica

25-07-2025

Protests have erupted in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities against a new law that threatens the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions. The legislation was hastily passed on July 22 by the parliament and signed that same day by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
It places Ukraine's national anti-corruption bureau and its special anti-corruption prosecutor's office under the direct control of the prosecutor general, one of Zelensky's appointed officials. Zelensky has argued that the measure was necessary to address Russian infiltration of anti-corruption bodies.
Critics of the measure, however, believe the real purpose of the law is to give the president the power to quash ongoing investigations into alleged corruption by members of his inner circle. These include his close ally and former deputy prime minister, Oleksiy Chernyshov.
Politicians from opposition parties and civil society activists also regard the new law as an example of the president attempting to take advantage of wartime conditions to silence critics and consolidate power.
The protests have involved thousands of ordinary people. This includes veterans of the war against Russia's invasion, some with visible war injuries such as missing limbs. Anger at the attempt to curb the independence of anticorruption bodies has broken the informal agreement between the government and Ukrainian society to show a united front to the world while the war continues.
The protests may be the most serious domestic political challenge Zelensky has faced since he was elected president in 2019.
Formally, Zelensky's political position is secure. His Servant of the People party holds the majority of seats in parliament and governs without the constraints of coalition partners. Zelensky and his party will also not face voters anytime soon. There is a ban on holding elections during martial law, which is due to continue for the duration of the war.
Zelensky is not unpopular in Ukraine. According to a survey conducted in June by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, Zelensky's personal popularity was running at 65%. This is down from the heady heights of 90% in the first few months after Russia's 2022 invasion, but up significantly from 52% in December 2024.
However, Zelensky was quick to respond to the street protests by promising to reverse the new law. He said he would submit a new bill to parliament to restore independence to the agencies. The speed of his response reveals the sensitivity of the president – and indeed most Ukrainian politicians – to criticism on the corruption issue.
Corruption is a topic that resonates strongly with Ukrainian society. Anger at the corruption of Viktor Yanukovych's presidency fueled the Maidan protests of 2013 and 2014, which began in response to his decision to break off negotiations with the EU and instead pursue closer political and economic ties with Russia.
The 'revolution of dignity' that followed robustly rejected Yanukovych's leadership and his policies, and ultimately saw him ousted from power. The revolution was a resounding demonstration of the strength of Ukraine's civil society and its determination to hold its elected officials to account.
Any suggestion that Ukraine is failing to address corruption is also a matter of great concern for Ukraine's international supporters. This is especially the case for major lenders such as the International Monetary Fund. Its willingness to disperse the large loans that help keep the Ukrainian economy functioning depends on Kyiv reaching the good governance milestones it sets.
European leaders have expressed concern at the new law and the possibility that Zelensky may be taking a backwards step when it comes to dealing with corruption.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, phoned Zelensky to express her strong concerns and ask for an explanation for diluting the independence of anti-corruption bodies. French and German leaders have also indicated that they intend to hold discussions with Zelensky about the issue.
Meanwhile, Russia has been quick to take advantage of the protests in Ukraine. According to intelligence from Ukraine's ministry of defense, Moscow has already distributed doctored photographs of the protesters that show them holding pro-Russian signs. It has falsely claimed that Ukrainians are coming on to the streets to demand an immediate end to the war.
So far, there are no indications that these protests will spill over from demanding the reversal of one controversial piece of legislation into calls for a change of government. Some protesters have even been explicit in their remarks to the media that they are broadly supportive of Zelensky, but are calling on him to take action on this specific issue.
However, Zelensky cannot afford to be complacent. He needs to act quickly to keep his domestic and international supporters on side. A great deal of effort has been expended to demonstrate Ukraine's commitment to democratic values and its suitability to join western institutions like the EU and Nato. Any hint of backsliding on anti-corruption could undermine that message.
Ukrainians continue to be remarkably united in their support for the war effort and their approval of the armed forces. But the mobilization process is itself tainted with corruption. Ordinary citizens are reluctant to respond to the state's call for more soldiers when it is widely known that the family members of powerful and wealthy Ukrainians are able to avoid military service and instead lead comfortable lives abroad.
Zelensky cannot afford to let dissatisfaction with corruption grow. Even if it does not threaten his hold on power today, society's anger at corrupt practices and the inequalities they create is already damaging the war effort. Ukraine's political leaders need to demonstrate that their commitment to democracy is as strong as that of the society that they lead.
Jennifer Mathers is a senior lecturer in international politics, Aberystwyth University .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.