You're reading: Poroshenko signs law on Anti-Corruption Bureau

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed the law "On amending certain laws of Ukraine on ensuring the activity of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the National Agency of Ukraine for Battling Corruption."

According to the President’s press service, bill No. 198-VIII, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of Feb. 12, 2015, regulates the legal framework governing the activity of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the National Agency of Ukraine for Battling Corruption.

As reported, this law defines the procedure for appointing and dismissing the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. A total of 247 MPs voted in favor.

According to the leader of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction Yuriy Lutsenko, the President will appoint the Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau by choosing from three candidates selected by the contest commission.

Both parliament and the president must agree on dismissing the Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

On Feb. 3, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the bill on making amendments to the laws on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the National Agency of Ukraine on Battling Corruption at first reading.

Previously, Chairman of the parliamentary committee on Organized Crime Control and Anti-Corruption Yehor Sobolev said that 243 amendments had been considered and 64 were taken into account while preparing the bill for second reading.

“We made the procedure of appointing a director very rigorous, and firing [a director] – very difficult… He [a director] can be removed [from the position] only if a special independent audit establishes that the bureau’s actions are inefficient. Only in case of mutual agreement by the president and the parliament,” Sobolev said.

A total of 161 candidates have applied for the position of Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau.