Press releases

22 Feb 2019

Lukashenko opines on president’s qualities

MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko spoke about the qualities a president should possess as he met with the academic staff of the Military Academy on 22 February, BelTA has learned.

“The president must be an experienced professional, a well-educated and thinking person. This is the main thing. When he is to decide on a proposal, his ‘computer’ should process the information and submit a decision instantly, if possible, or in a short span of time. Because life runs faster than before, you have to take decisions very quickly,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

In his opinion, the most terrible thing when an executive of any level does not make decisions but delegates this responsibility to his subordinates, and they, in turn, to theirs. As a result, the problem travels around government agencies and no decision is made. “Time flies, no decisions are made. This is the worst scenario. They often say that the wrong decision is better than no action at all. This is important for an executive, for the president. You must see, analyze, and make sure the decisions are put to practice,” the head of state underlined.

Alexander Lukashenko did not call his schedule extremely tight, but added that there are enough issues to deal with. “It would be an exaggeration to say that we, presidents, are some superheroes working day and night. I have enough people to help me do the job. As for the military sector, I have the defense minister, the whole general staff. The head of the administration compiles the daily working schedule of the president. If there are matters that should be dealt with, I can even work on Saturday and Sunday. I know that I must do it,” he added.

According to the president, the best rest from work is to change the setting: “This does not mean going to the seaside. I have been to the mountains once. I was dying of boredom on the third day already. I rest the best at home. Doing sports and meeting people help me the most.”

According to the head of state, in order to understand the president’s life, it is necessary to live it. The president, however, wishes such life to no one. “My sons do not want to be presidents,” Alexander Lukashenko said.