In early September, President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Ukraine’s parliament to adopt a draft law critical to Ukraine’s integration into the European Union and targeting corruption.
Draft law No. 9534 seeks to restore the electronic asset declarations system for public officials, suspended at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. While lawmakers voted for the law in the second reading, their amendments provide significant loopholes that threaten Ukraine’s adherence to the European Commission’s reform recommendations.
Despite the support of 91.7% of Ukrainians and the calls of European Parliament members and G7 Ambassadors for the restoration of the e-declarations system, the parliament voted to hide the registry for yet another year – “generously” granting officials the ability to publish their declarations on a voluntary basis.
There are no real grounds to justify the parliament’s decision, as well as no guarantees that lawmakers will not further prolong it next September.
The European Parliamentarians issued a statement asking Zelensky not to pass the draft law as it stands due to concerns it will undermine trust in reforms. Meanwhile, a petition asking Zelensky to veto the law and propose the parliament to open the e-declarations, has reached over 83,000 signatures.
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