Ukrainian parliament passes EU-linked prosecution reform bill slammed by anti-graft experts

Ukraine’s parliament has passed the first reading of a bill to reform the prosecution service, a step linked to the country’s EU accession talks. Anti-corruption watchdogs and legal experts say the proposal could entrench the existing system rather than address corruption, particularly after a major investigation implicated senior prosecutorial officials.

The bill would restore competitive selection for senior prosecutorial posts, but not for prosecutor general. Prosecutors would dominate the panels choosing candidates and the Ethics Standards Council assessing officials, with no independent or international experts included. The bill still needs approval at a second reading and the president’s signature; a separate proposal for an internationally assisted, transparent contest for prosecutor general has not been considered.