Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has submitted legislation to once again extend the decree of martial law, which as part of a suite of wartime powers has the impact of suspending elections, banning opposition parties, and shutting down media organisations. According to state-run outlet Ukrinform, President Zelensky has submitted bills to the Verkhovna Rada, the Parliament in Kyiv, this week for the extension of martial law and the general mobilisation, which empower the government to conduct large-scale conscription of manpower and other resources to fight the war against Russia.
The current martial law decree will remain in effect until May 4th, and if the bills submitted by Zelensky are approved, it will be extended until at least August 2nd. The likely passage of the bills will mark the 19th extension of the initial martial law decree, which was signed by Zelensky on February 24, 2022, the same day that Russia launched its invasion of the country over four years ago. The imposition of martial law has led to the cancellation of elections, including the planned 2024 presidential election and the parliamentary elections scheduled for the autumn of 2023.
