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25.04.2024
Lukashenko sees Belarusian People’s Congress as powerful constitutional body
MINSK (
BelTA) – As a constitutional body the Belarusian People’s Congress will possess strength. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he talked to reporters on the sidelines of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress session, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “We will not avoid having to prove to our enemies and haters from a political point of view that we have a genuine democracy. And I am convinced that strength will come from this Belarusian People’s Congress, from this constitutional body.”
Asked to clarify, Aleksandr Lukashenko explained that the Belarusian People’s Congress is not a body that is above the president. “It is a body that is up there on top and to the side but it does not interfere with the processes the president, the parliament, and the government deal with. It is their business. Yes, some of the functions have been transferred to the Belarusian People’s Congress. I’ve already recounted them. For instance, matters of war and peace,” the head of state said.
He remarked that similar important matters had been previously handled by the president on his own albeit after various consultations and discussions with other government officials and experts. “But the president was the one to sign a military decree, some doctrine and so on. And it was a binding document. We could keep doing that. But these are serious matters and they should be handled directly by representatives of the nation. This is why this body does not replace the president,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also stressed that it will be necessary to integrate this new body into the existing state system in practice in order to avoid confusion. “[Aleksandr] Radkov said a brilliant thing today: ‘It has to be integrated into our political daily routine’. This is a very important thing. God forbid if we encounter contradictions and clashes. Then the society will be in trouble.”
Once again the head of state answered a question about the presidential election campaign that is due in 2025. He stressed that he will primarily abide by the people’s will when he has to make the final decision: “If they decide I should run [for presidency], then I will. And if people decide that they need a different person, I will agree to it. I speak sincerely.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “We will not avoid having to prove to our enemies and haters from a political point of view that we have a genuine democracy. And I am convinced that strength will come from this Belarusian People’s Congress, from this constitutional body.”
Asked to clarify, Aleksandr Lukashenko explained that the Belarusian People’s Congress is not a body that is above the president. “It is a body that is up there on top and to the side but it does not interfere with the processes the president, the parliament, and the government deal with. It is their business. Yes, some of the functions have been transferred to the Belarusian People’s Congress. I’ve already recounted them. For instance, matters of war and peace,” the head of state said.
He remarked that similar important matters had been previously handled by the president on his own albeit after various consultations and discussions with other government officials and experts. “But the president was the one to sign a military decree, some doctrine and so on. And it was a binding document. We could keep doing that. But these are serious matters and they should be handled directly by representatives of the nation. This is why this body does not replace the president,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also stressed that it will be necessary to integrate this new body into the existing state system in practice in order to avoid confusion. “[Aleksandr] Radkov said a brilliant thing today: ‘It has to be integrated into our political daily routine’. This is a very important thing. God forbid if we encounter contradictions and clashes. Then the society will be in trouble.”
Once again the head of state answered a question about the presidential election campaign that is due in 2025. He stressed that he will primarily abide by the people’s will when he has to make the final decision: “If they decide I should run [for presidency], then I will. And if people decide that they need a different person, I will agree to it. I speak sincerely.”