Lukashenka on Redistribution of Powers: Not in One Year, Without Revolutionary Upheavals

Alyaksandr Lukashenka spoke about the process of redistributing powers during a visit to the Drybin District on March 13. He noted that the process could be completed in a week, but it would be difficult for people.

“As an experienced person, I understand that this cannot be done in one day or in one year. It must be done gradually, calmly, without revolutionary upheavals. It must be evolutionary. That is the main principle. So that it is easier for you. You can break everything and carry out a revolution in a week. But it will be difficult for people,” Lukashenka said.

Lukashenka noted that officials do not want to take on additional powers because they imply responsibility.

“Everyone wanted powers. Well, take them. And then they realized that there is also responsibility if you are given additional powers. They do not really want to bear responsibility. I give them powers, and they resist and say: no, we do not need them, we are satisfied as it is,” he said.

Lukashenka explained how he makes decisions on personnel appointments, requiring that several candidates be proposed for one position.

“There must be an alternative. Recently the administration proposed one candidate to me for a position. I said: do not even come. There must be alternative candidates, competent and capable. There must be an alternative. And in most cases it is like that. This is a certain competition. And then I must compare and weigh them,” Lukashenka said.

Exceptions are made only for several positions, for example the prime minister and chairpersons of regional executive committees.

One of the questions addressed to the head of state concerned personnel policy in light of the ongoing course toward redistributing powers.

“No matter what anyone proposes, I know well the people who are capable. These are the central links, the central figures — governors and the prime minister,” Lukashenka said.

Lukashenka also said that several “decoy” Oreshnik systems are located in Belarus, threatened opponents with the “harshest reaction” if the scenario of 2020 is repeated, spoke about negotiations with the United States on the release of political prisoners, and said that a drone that crashed in Belarus injured a woman.