Opinions & Interviews
Main role of Belarusian People's Congress named
MINSK, 13 December (BelTA) - The main role of the Belarusian People's Congress is to stabilize society at all stages of its development, to act as a platform for negotiations, if necessary, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss issues related to the harmonization of certain laws with the updated Constitution on 13 December, BelTA has learned.
The president said that during the previous meeting held to discuss the updated Constitution a decision was made to revisit the draft law “On the Belarusian People's Congress”. The president instructed to explain the people the provisions of this legal act, learn their opinion and finalize it before adoption.
“The results of the work done are the main thing we would like to hear today in order to make the decision at this level,” the Belarusian leader said. The president was briefed that the public discussion was quite active. Almost 500 responses were received within ten days. There were a variety of opinions. “I know that many of the proposals that make the draft law better have been taken into account. First of all, we must understand that the congress is an important constitutional representative body, an organ of the supreme power of the people. The fact that the Belarusian People's Congress will acquire such a status was mentioned at the very first meeting to the delegates who attended it,” the president said.
“The Belarusian People's Congress is a stabilizer of our society. Its main role is to stabilize society at all stages of its development. If the need arises, it will be on its platform where negotiations will take place,” stressed Aleksandr Lukashenko. Under normal conditions, the congress will continue to work as it should, only with some additional functions.
“We will meet more often, at least once a year. As I said earlier: since it is not a permanent body, we will gather to discuss major issues, make decisions and go back to our workplaces,” the Belarusian leader said adding that the participants of the Belarusian People's Congress would work on a pro bono basis, without any monetary remuneration.
The president stressed that one of the main features of the Belarusian People's Congress is its representation. The congress will include representatives of all segments of the Belarusian society, the head of state said. People in some labor collectives questioned whether the Belarusian People's Congress could turn into another gathering of officials. “Maybe you did not get through to the people, did not explain it to them. Representatives of labor collectives will account for 90% of the congress. Only the way to this congress is somewhat different,” explained Aleksandr Lukashenko. For example, it is not necessary for the staff of the factory to gather and nominate their representative to the Belarusian People's Congress. The congress will comprise MPs and members of public and other organizations that represent the labor collectives in one way or another.
“All of them should be professionals,” the president voiced his requirement for the delegates of the Belarusian People's Congress. “These should be knowledgeable people with a wealth of experience. They will make decisions on strategic areas, on the most important issues of state and public life. Such is the responsible mission of our congress. We all have to make sure that the delegates return to their workplaces to report to the working collectives on the issues that have been discussed at the Belarusian People's Congress. We will do it in the best way possible,” he added.
“The Belarusian People's Congress, however, will not be able to interfere in the activities of other bodies, replace them, or perform their functions. The Belarusian People's Congress should remain a political institution, and not grow into some bureaucratic body,” said the head of state.
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