Mikhail Myasnikovich was appointed Prime Minister in late 2010 — by Presidential Decree — but, in line with the Constitution, each new head of government must be approved by the legislative power. Accordingly, a special session has been held, at which the deputies unanimously supported Mr. Myasnikovich’s appointment.
The Government’s new goals seem traditional, focusing on enhanced energy efficiency and reduced use of materials, the attraction of foreign investments and the creation of convenient terms for businesses. Farming efficiency and import substitution are other key targets. However, the President’s speech included some new accents, encompassing the structural reform of the economy. Extensive modernisation of existing facilities and the launch of new, highly-technological plants and, even, whole new branches are planned. In this context, the President spoke of state companies which are currently running at a loss. “If these lack a feasible economic future, why should we continue supporting them, burying our financial resources?” said Mr. Lukashenko, adding, “We must only support effective projects or those which are of special social significance.”
The Government is to ‘revive’ the economy, with the President giving permission for radical measures regarding chronically uncompetitive and loss making factories: including their privatisation and liquidation. He warned, “Staff of these liquidated companies should not suffer.” Their re-employment is to be ensured by the Government and local authorities. Mr. Lukashenko demanded, “Problems shouldn’t be resolved at the expense of the population.”
On addressing the National Assembly, the Head of State noted that he wished to speak not only about the economy but, primarily, to express his view on recent political events. Mr. Lukashenko thanked the deputies for their support during the recent election campaign and shared his own perspective on the events happened during it. He said, “You may be confident that, on December 19th, the opposition was preparing a coup — no more or less. Everything was planned at the strict behest of some foreign special services.” The President stressed that his assertion is based on facts, some of which have already been published in the printed media.
According to the President’s assessment, the forces of law and order behaved in an appropriate fashion on December 19th, ‘within the law, as any responsible power would do: rigidly and decisively’. Criminal proceedings via the courts will follow. “As is natural for any legal state,” the President stressed.
Commenting on the West’s reaction and, in particular, the threat of visa sanctions on the Belarusian leadership, Mr. Lukashenko asserted that these are ‘pinpricks’ and that no one will ever bring the country to its knees. According to the President, mass media reports of the country being at a ‘dead end’ after December 19th are groundless. “We’ve come to no dead end. We’ve overcome another barrier, while building our independence and sovereignty. Each state had its own difficulties,” he emphasised, adding, “I don’t wish to see bloodshed in the country. If the nation had a different approach, it would have elected another President. Meanwhile, our people clearly believe that the situation should be as it is. We must protect our country at all costs.” Mr. Lukashenko believes that impunity could inspire further criminal acts.
Simultaneously, the President stressed that his tough position does not mean that Minsk has closed its doors on dialogue. On the contrary, the Belarusian leadership is ready to listen to sensible ideas from the USA and the European Union. Mr. Lukashenko added, “Speak and make suggestions, but act honestly.” He noted the journalistic trend to comment that ‘Belarus will go nowhere without Russia’. “We have never wished to escape the West or Russia,” said the President. “This is our fate: to be a connecting bridge. We’ll continue conducting this policy.” He believes such a policy serves national interests, rather than feeding a game between the giants of Russia and the EU. The President summed up by saying that, despite all difficulties, ‘we should see our goal and move towards it’.
