Belarus parliament elections

MINSK, 30 August (BelTA) – Parliament should be composed of true professionals regardless of their political affiliation is, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with the heads of the OSCE observer mission for the Belarusian parliamentary elections on 30 August, BelTA has learned.

Partaking in the meeting were Kent Harstedt, special coordinator to lead the short-term OSCE observer mission for the elections to the House of Representatives and Vice President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and Cayetana De Zulueta Owtram, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission.

“I would like true professionals to be elected to the Belarusian parliament. It does not matter what political views they hold. Believe me, the Parliament should consist of people who can work and who can draft laws,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed. “You know the parliamentary work very well. I was a member of parliament too. Lawmaking is the main area of focus. And that’s what our parliament does. It is the main priority for them. Therefore, I would like to see professionals among members of parliament. I cannot say that our parliament has ever been unprofessional over the years of my presidency. There have been patriots who love their country and who can work well,” the head of state said.

“Political views should help develop the country. If they do not, thaen this person is not a representative of the people,” the Belarusian leader noted.

The President noted that Kent Harstedt is well informed about the elections in Belarus. “Probably, you and your colleagues know even more than I do about the electoral situation,” the head of state said.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, observers should get to know the country well, the Belarusian people, should learn more about the essence of the elections in Belarus. “You have observed our elections before. It is good. When we learned that you would be the coordinator at the elections, I approved of your candidacy,” the President said. “However, many told me that Mr. Harstedt had a negative attitude to our electoral process, our elections, and, perhaps, the country. I told them back that he had already been here, he knows Belarus and our people, he is a smart person and will sort everything out. I do not regret that you have become a coordinator.”