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Ukrainian legislature extends martial law, military mobilization for ninth time

The latest extension of martial law puts into question the chances of holding a presidential election, which is supposed to be held in spring

MOSCOW, November 8. /TASS/. The Ukrainian legislature has passed bills submitted by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that would extend martial law and general mobilization in the country for another 90 days, until February 14, 2024, according to Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

"The parliament supported the bills calling for decrees to prolong martial law and general mobilization <...> from November 16, 2023 by another 90 days. That means until February 14, 2024," he said on Telegram.

Ukraine announced martial law and general military mobilization on February 24, 2022. This would be their ninth extension. The previous extension made it impossible to hold parliamentary elections, which would otherwise have been held at the end of October. According to the Ukrainian constitution, voting cannot take place during martial law. The latest extension of martial law until mid-February of next year also puts into question the chances of holding a presidential election, which is supposed to be held in spring, because martial law would leave too little time for a full electoral campaign.

The chances of canceling or postponing the presidential election has recently become a hot topic in Ukrainian news media. Some of them, citing certain sources, reported that preparations for holding the vote were underway. There has been no official confirmation of these reports. Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov said the government must announce the election three months in advance, that is by the end of December. Zelensky has so far not made it clear where he stands on the issue, but in a video message on November 6 he demanded an end to stirring the issue of the election, saying that it was not the right time for an election.

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