It has just been reported that Ukrainian President Zelensky’s trust rating has fallen from 65% last month to 58% this month. This decline comes after a decision to place a couple of anti-corruption bodies under the control of the prosecutor general.
The decision triggered serious street protests in different parts of Ukraine and the European Union (EU) also didn’t take it lightly. It is necessary for a major diplomatic success to happen for the president’s ratings to climb to significant percentages.
Ukraine’s fight against corruption is closely connected to the country’s prospects for joining the EU – a path that started in 2014. In 2022, Ukraine grabbed the coveted status of EU candidate – a major update that boosted spirits and bolstered bilateral relations.
Zelensky needs a significant diplomatic success
Ukraine started seeing a lot of street protests late last month as President Zelensky signed a bill limiting the independence of a couple of notable anti-corruption agencies in the country. The rule grants control of Nabu and Sap to the prosecutor general – appointed by the President.
Protesters gathered and fury around the situation increased. Ultimately, Zelensky said he is going to submit another bill to parliament in response to the public anger. Later on, the president backtracked on the proposed corruption reform bill.
But it seems the damage has already been done, as Zelensky needs a significant diplomatic success to push his ratings higher. The protests Ukraine noted last month are possibly the first major demonstrations since Russian troops marched into Ukraine in 2022.
