Lukashenko: Referendum in February - "if war doesn't break out"

Lukashenko: Referendum in February - "if war doesn't break out"

"I drafted the Constitution. Lawyers put it down in writing, and I dictated it, because I saw, as a president, what powers I need to maintain the country. Now we will publish it, in about a month."

A referendum on a new constitution could be held around February 20, 2022, "unless war breaks out," the Belarusian leader added.

"Once again, we want to accept the proposals of the people, and in February, sometime after the 20th, we will think about how it suits us and how it is best under the law, the current Constitution, we will put the Constitution to a referendum... I recently said we will follow that schedule. We will hold a referendum. But if they do not lead us to the imposition of a state of emergency. It is in the realm of fantasy, though. Therefore, I think we will be able to hold a referendum in February, as we planned," Lukashenko said.

He also added that the redistribution of powers and the formation of a new power structure is the main, but not the only meaning of the new Constitution. In addition, according to the president, the document will include strengthening the role of the government and parliament, as well as the emergence of the All-Belarusian Parliament, which was held for the first time in the 1990s.

"The All-Belarusian Parliament is discussing the most current, key issues. And if it has determined so, the whole country is moving in that direction. Including the president. But that is the president's decision. Now it will be in the Constitution," the Belarusian leader explained.

He also added that a strong presidential government will be consolidated in the new constitution. "As is the case today, the president will form the government, he will be the leader of the state. Strong presidential power remains," Lukashenko said.

Extraordinary elections

Lukashenko said that he does not exclude the possibility that early presidential elections will be held after the adoption of the renewed Constitution.

"They can be held on time, and there may be early elections. Based on the decision of the president, other dates of the elections will be fixed in the transitional provisions of the Constitution," said the President of Belarus.

He doubts the possibility of holding presidential elections next summer. Lukashenko explained that after the adoption of the new Constitution, elections for all government bodies should be held in a referendum, including the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, whose constitutional status will be fixed in the country's new main law.

According to the calendar on the CEC website, the next presidential elections in Belarus should be held on July 20, 2025 at the latest.