Expert: Ukraine's next prosecutor general must limit his own power
Following a scandal, a former Ukrainian prosecution official argues that reforming the system matters more than replacing its leader, calling for limits on the prosecutor general's powers and greater autonomy for prosecutorial self-governance.
Ukraine's prosecutor's office has returned to public attention after a recent scandal, reviving debate over a trust crisis and the system's future direction. An expert experienced in institutional reform argues that proposals such as an open competition for prosecutor general or involving international experts will not by themselves solve problems accumulated over years — first it must be clear what the next leader should actually change in the criminal justice system.
A strong leader for reform, not for power
The prosecutor's office has for decades been built as a strictly vertical structure, which allows fast decisions but becomes a systemic risk when everything depends on one person, the expert notes. The next prosecutor general should therefore receive a clear reform mandate — paradoxically, a strong leader is needed now precisely to make the position less all-powerful in the future.
President, parliament and international partners
The expert is skeptical of proposals to fully insulate the appointment from the president and parliament, arguing the office needs political weight to push through difficult and unpopular changes. He proposes a model in which the president consults with international partners before nomination, with candidates assessed against shared criteria — professionalism, integrity, independence — while the final decision stays with Ukrainian institutions, and partners later back the agreed reform program.
Why a competition can wait
Launching an open competition now, when the likely pool of candidates is already known, would raise suspicions that rules are being tailored to specific people, the expert warns. A properly designed competition also takes months to prepare and risks turning into a media spectacle. It would be better addressed later as part of a permanent model.
Immediate priorities
The expert calls for an immediate audit of the prosecution service, a strengthened and independent General Inspection to monitor integrity, greater autonomy for the Council of Prosecutors as a self-governance body, and stronger procedural independence, including limits on leadership's unrestricted access to investigative materials. He stresses that the prosecutor's office cannot be reformed in isolation from other criminal justice institutions, including NABU and SAP, and that the next prosecutor general must be strong enough to drive change while willing to constrain his own authority.
