Zelensky signs bill renewing punishment for false e-declarations

Ukrainian President Zelensky signed the bill into law
on Dec. 23 renewing criminal responsibility for fraudulent electronic
declarations and failing to submit a declaration altogether. Respective amendments
will be made to the criminal code, the criminal procedural code and the law on
preventing corruption.

Recall, parliament approved on Dec. 4
the bill renewing criminal responsibility after the scandalous Oct. 27
Constitutional Court ruling overturning the original regulation. The ruling
undermined most of Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure built in the last
five years with IMF sponsorship.

Western institutions have urged Ukraine’s leadership
to approve new laws to restore the anti-corruption legislative foundation
undermined by the ruling, lest the nation lose access to loans and even the EU
visa-free regime.

Zenon Zawada: It was
important that Zelensky did this before the end of IMF mission as a symbolic
gesture to the leaders of Western institutions. It shows his genuine intent to
repair the damage done by the scandalous Oct. 27 ruling.
Yet at least half a dozen more bills need to be approved in order to address
all the affected areas. We can expect this legislation to emerge by the end of
the first quarter.