Constitution: Lukashenko lets Belarus vote on extending power

Created: 02/27/2022, 12:32 p.m

By: Katja Thorwarth

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, casts his vote during the referendum on constitutional amendments.

© dpa/BelTA

Head of state Alexander Lukashenko wants to remain in power in Belarus longer than the constitution stipulates.

This will be voted on today.

Minsk – Three days after the start of the war in Ukraine*, a referendum on changes to the constitution will be held in neighboring Belarus on Sunday, which would allow the head of state Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in office since 1994, to tie the former Soviet republic closely to Russia*.

In the vote, which the opposition has classified as illegal, the Belarusians are to decide, among other things, on lifelong immunity for ex-presidents and a limitation of the term of office to two terms - which, however, will only come into force with the next presidential election.

This means that the 67-year-old Lukashenko could stand for two more elections and remain in power until 2035 if he wins the elections.

In crushing the mass protests after Lukashenko's controversial re-election in August 2020, the ruler in Minsk could count on the help of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Belarus: staging area for Russian forces in the Ukraine war

He used Belarus as a staging area for his armed forces, which also invaded Ukraine from there on Thursday.

According to Lukashenko's wishes, the constitution of Belarus should also be changed so that Russian troops and nuclear weapons can be stationed permanently in the country in the future.

(ktho/afp)