Zelenskyy Faces Nationwide Protests Over Anti-Corruption Clampdown

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is facing significant domestic protests and political backlash after attempting to strip two key anti-corruption agencies, NABU and SAPO, of their independence. The move, perceived as a consolidation of authoritarian power, sparked widespread outrage including from frontline soldiers, civil society activists, and European allies, threatening Ukraine's EU accession prospects and critical financial support. Zelenskyy quickly reversed the decision amid mounting pressure, promising to restore the agencies' autonomy, but the damage to his credibility remains substantial. Critics accuse Zelenskyy of undermining Ukraine's democracy by suppressing dissent, managing political rivals, and using wartime powers to centralize authority, raising fears of a managed election rather than a free one. The protests mark the most dangerous political crisis since the 2014 Maidan revolution, highlighting the challenge Zelenskyy faces in balancing governance reforms with political survival. This turmoil also complicates Ukraine's international relations, as reform and democratization are key to continued Western support amid ongoing conflict with Russia.