Lukashenko: draft law on Council of Ministers needs to be democratic and fair
At today’s meeting with the President, key innovations proposed for introduction into the law On the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus were discussed. As explained by the Chief of Staff of the Council of Ministers, Konstantin Burak, the law is being brought in line with the updated Constitution and the practice of application.
The main innovations include, in particular, a provision on the Prime Minister’s appointment by the President with the prior consent of the House of Representatives. Previously, such approval was carried out upon appointment. In addition, the Prime Minister’s powers to perform the Presidential duties in the event of a vacancy in this position are excluded. “In line with the Constitution, this function is assigned to the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic,” Mr. Burak stressed. “It was my proposal to include this provision into the Constitution,” Aleksandr Lukashenko clarified.
The Head of State recalled that, according to the previous version of the Basic Law, in the event of the incumbent President leaving power, his duties were assigned to the Prime Minister. However, according to the Belarusian leader, that provision contradicted the system of checks and balances.
“Just imagine, the Prime Minister, in the event of the President's stepping down, holds Presidential elections. He should organise them as Acting President, and so the budget, economy, finances and others are concentrated in hands of one person. The result is almost predetermined – in any democracy. In America, the stronghold of democracy, there are congressional elections today; you see how they worry about fraud. Therefore, it was decided that the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic will perform duties in such a situation [in the event of the President's stepping down]. Clearly, the powers are great, but the Prime Minister remains in charge of the economy; he practically oversees the Finance Ministry as part of the Government, the budget, and so on. The Acting President will not be able to resolve issues directly like this. Therefore, it is an absolutely democratic step. Personalities have nothing to do with it. Everything should be fair. If it is fair, especially when a leader is elected, then people will understand it. You can see that all sanctions, coups and so on are being grounded on this. I proceeded from this, and I did not think about personalities at all,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
