Verkhovna Rada seeks to limit NACP’s authority in inspecting officials

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is preparing to significantly restrict the work of the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NACP), effectively removing oversight of illicit earnings and fraudulent activities by officials.

The Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy, chaired by Anastasiia Radina—a former employee of Vitaliy Shabunin’s Anti-Corruption Action Center—is pushing for the adoption of Bill No. 12 374-d.

This bill would allow corrupt officials to hide illegal income, as it bans the NACP from investigating the lifestyle and financial history of civil servants before their official appointment.

If passed, this law would mean: if an official appointed in 2019 had purchased luxury real estate or expensive cars in 2018, the NACP will no longer be able to investigate the source of these funds. Even current investigations would be limited to just three months, making it significantly harder to expose cases of illegal enrichment.

The NACP has already warned that such initiatives will destroy one of the key tools in the fight against corruption. The agency urges Parliament to reject the bill, but given the influence of high-ranking officials, it remains doubtful that their concerns will be addressed.

According to NACP data, most Ukrainians and business owners believe that corruption in the country has only increased in 2024.

Media reports also indicate that officials earn 3 to 10 times more than the country’s average salary, reinforcing the perception of a growing elite-driven economy within the government.

This bill marks yet another step toward total impunity for corrupt elites, allowing them to live lavishly at the expense of ordinary citizens without fear of investigations or accountability.