Lukashenko about constitutional status of Belarusian People’s Congress
At a solemn ceremony of signing the Decision of the nationwide referendum on the amendments and additions to the Constitution, the President stated that granting a constitutional status to the Belarusian People’s Congress is an act of historical justice
Speaking about the new role and status of the Belarusian People’s Congress, the Head of State noted, “Since ancient times, in the Belarusian lands, the people’s veche [a meeting of people in medieval times] has been at the forefront of making the most important state decisions. In our time, for more than a quarter of a century, the Congress has been approving programmes of socio-economic development for the five-year period, participating in making crucial decisions in the life of the country. We have simply legalised the ancient tradition of our Slavic democracy.”
The President stressed that the Belarusian People’s Congress in its modern, now legal status, will perform stabilising and consolidating functions in society, while acting as insurance against unforeseen events, “To do this, it is endowed with a wide range of real authoritative powers: from approving military doctrine to adopting decision on the legitimacy of the elections. As the highest body of the people’s power, it will have the right to impeach the president. In fact, any issue significant for the state can be submitted for consideration to the Congress, and not only in those areas that are defined in the Constitution. The law on the Belarusian People’s Congress should also provide for other possible powers of this body. Therefore, it is important that – despite its impressive membership of 1,200 delegates – the Congress remains mobile.”
