Alyaksandr Lukashenka said that there would be no changes in the Belarusian Constitution just yet, a referendum would not be held.
The leader of the Belarusian National Congress Mikalai Statkevich said earlier that during today’s address to the people and parliament Lukashenka may announce a referendum.
“The BNC warned that we would rouse the people if a decision about a referendum were to be taken, if Lukashenka executes this reckless scheme. I am very glad that the BNC’s warning, personally directed at Lukashenka, worked. I am also grateful to the Armenian people, this is an important factor that yesterday the opposition won there. The Armenians showed what can happen, and this caused him to abandon his own plans, which his officials had announced. Authorities have long begun to feel the soil, Makei spoke of the referendum even in an interview with Euronews … But today we can say we won without a battle. “
***
Information on the referendum about changes in the Constitution has repeatedly surfaced in the media over the past month. The chairman of the Central Electoral Commission Lidziya Yarmoshyna and the Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makei also spoke about it. According to Yarmoshyna, preparation may take only 70 days, and it will be held “using extra-budgetary funds.” In turn, in an interview with Euronews, the head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the authorities are thinking about a possible amendment of the Constitution. Specific issues that were to be put to vote have not yet been reported.
It is known that as early as 2016, the LDP party proposed holding a referendum on extending the presidential term from 5 to 7 years.
