Politician Hofreiter calls for increased transparency in the battle against corruption in Ukraine

Politician Hofreiter advocates for increased transparency in the anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine - Politician Hofreiter advocates for increased transparency in the anti-corruption efforts within Ukraine

In a recent interview, Green Party politician Anton Hofreiter highlighted the importance of Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts and the survival of its democracy. Hofreiter, a vocal supporter of Ukraine's civil society, emphasised the crucial role of the independence of the Anti-Corruption State Prosecutor's Office in this fight.

Hofreiter underlined the significance of investigations in Ukraine's anti-corruption fight, expressing concern about resistance from President Volodymyr Zelensky and parts of parliament against the independence of this key institution. However, after protests and EU criticism, Zelensky signed a new law restoring the independence of these two institutions.

The debate in Germany about Ukraine's situation, according to Hofreiter, is being led "from the wrong end." He believes that the independence of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office remains crucial, and many, including in parliament, are seeking closer scrutiny of Ukraine's actions.

Regarding the deployment of Western peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, Hofreiter expressed his support under the condition of a genuine ceasefire. However, the German federal government currently has no clear or unified position on this matter. Debates are ongoing, with differing views within government and parliament, and any deployment would require Bundestag approval. While some leaders like Friedrich Merz show openness to stronger military roles, including potential troop deployment, others like Saxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer and Markus Söder oppose sending German troops directly to Ukraine, citing lack of capacity and risk of escalation.

Hofreiter also touched upon the controversies and protests in Ukraine regarding corruption. He suggested that Ukraine's stance is that a reliable ceasefire with Russia can only be achieved if Russia is already too weak to attack Western peacekeeping troops.

Despite these challenges, Hofreiter stated that Ukraine's actions are of importance to other countries, including Germany. He observed that democracy is deeply rooted in Ukrainian society and that the survival of this democracy is a matter of concern. Hofreiter indicated that he would continue to closely follow Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts and its pursuit of democratic values.

The interview also addressed the subordination of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office to the General Prosecutor's Office, effectively ending their autonomy in July. Hofreiter underlined the attempts to hinder these investigative bodies, reiterating the importance of their independence in the fight against corruption.

In conclusion, Anton Hofreiter's interview provides valuable insights into the current state of Ukraine's anti-corruption fight and the ongoing debates in Germany about potential peacekeeping troop deployment. His strong support for Ukrainian democracy and civil society, coupled with his concerns about the survival of this democracy, underscore the importance of these issues in the broader European context.