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26.06.2020
Lukashenko: Proposed constitutional amendments are not resolute enough
SOLIGORSK (BelTA) – Several versions of constitutional amendments were submitted to Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko, however these amendments are not dramatic enough, Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Belaruskali employees on 26 June, BelTA has learned.
“The Constitution is the Main Law. We will draw it within two years. Several versions have already been submitted, but were rejected. People are just afraid of introducing more resolute amendments to the Constitution. I think we should do it. Before we adopt the Constitution, we will do a lot to transfer more power to the lower-level authorities, including heads of district administrations and governors,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state emphasized that local authorities should be given a bigger say in local matters because they have a more clear picture of things on the ground. “As for the redistribution of powers at the very top of the power – president, parliament and government – everything should be articulated clearly in the Constitution. It will be approved at a referendum; we should make up our mind as to what way we will go. If we take the road suggested by ‘alternative candidates', with privatization, reforms and so, I will not be part of it, because I will not resort to disrupting the social system of our country,” the president said.
At the same time, the president is convinced that the return to the 1994 Constitution would be a step back. He noted that the 1990s were not the best period for the country. “I do not want to return to this time, I do not want you to go back there, although ‘alternative candidates' suggest going back to 1994 and adopting that Constitution. Maybe, some want to go back to it, let them do so, but do not say then that it is about reforms and advancement, because it will throw the country back,” the head of state noted.
“The Constitution is the Main Law. We will draw it within two years. Several versions have already been submitted, but were rejected. People are just afraid of introducing more resolute amendments to the Constitution. I think we should do it. Before we adopt the Constitution, we will do a lot to transfer more power to the lower-level authorities, including heads of district administrations and governors,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state emphasized that local authorities should be given a bigger say in local matters because they have a more clear picture of things on the ground. “As for the redistribution of powers at the very top of the power – president, parliament and government – everything should be articulated clearly in the Constitution. It will be approved at a referendum; we should make up our mind as to what way we will go. If we take the road suggested by ‘alternative candidates', with privatization, reforms and so, I will not be part of it, because I will not resort to disrupting the social system of our country,” the president said.
At the same time, the president is convinced that the return to the 1994 Constitution would be a step back. He noted that the 1990s were not the best period for the country. “I do not want to return to this time, I do not want you to go back there, although ‘alternative candidates' suggest going back to 1994 and adopting that Constitution. Maybe, some want to go back to it, let them do so, but do not say then that it is about reforms and advancement, because it will throw the country back,” the head of state noted.