Lukashenko did not support a return to the 1994 constitution

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko opposed a return to the 1994 constitution - a new basic document will be developed anew.

The 1994 constitution forbade being president for more than two terms, and the opposition advocated a return to it. After the start of mass protests, Lukashenka allowed the transfer of powers only after the adoption of a new constitution, "but not across the street."

The draft of the updated constitution will be submitted for general discussion, “to be twisted, to express their opinion, what they like, what they don’t like, their considerations,” the president said on Monday. Specialists, including judges of the Constitutional Court, are currently working on amendments to the basic law, he noted. “At the same time, I want to say to especially zealous people who are shouting for changes in a hubbub: they must understand that every adult person has one vote when voting for this or that issue in a referendum on the constitution. And among the peasants, and among the workers, teachers, doctors, specialists, and those who have reached the age of 18 and today roam the streets of a calm, clean, comfortable Minsk,” Lukashenka said.

• The first constitution of Belarus was adopted in March 1994, even before Lukashenka came to power. The first changes to the basic law were made by him already in 1995. Lukashenka got the opportunity to early dissolve the parliament in case of "systematic or gross violation of the constitution."
• In 1996, the president initiated a second referendum, in which a new version of the constitution was submitted. Before the changes, Lukashenka could, with the consent of parliament, appoint and dismiss the prime minister and his deputies, the ministers of foreign affairs, finance, defense, internal affairs, and the chairman of the KGB. After the changes, the parliament participated only in the approval of the candidacy of the prime minister.
• Also, after 1996, the president got the opportunity to issue special decrees that came into force if they were not repealed by both houses of parliament. For example, such a decree in 2015 introduced a tax on parasitism, which was canceled after mass protests.
• The changes of 1996, among other things, significantly complicated the procedure for the impeachment of the president. Firstly, one of the reasons for resignation has disappeared from the new version of the constitution, namely, violation of the constitution. Only two remained - the inability to govern the country for health reasons and the commission of a serious crime. Secondly, the parliament now has to carry out the impeachment procedure in a month. If the deputies fail to comply, the charge is automatically dismissed.
• In 2004, a third referendum was held. After him, Lukashenka got the opportunity to put forward his candidacy for elections an unlimited number of times. Under the 1994 constitution, the same person could not be president for more than two terms.

Russia can share experience with Belarus on amending the constitution if Minsk asks for it, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on August 31. “Why not share experience, especially since fresh, rich and expert experience, as evidenced by the voting results,” he said. Answering the question whether Russia could advise Belarus on the essence of the amendments, Peskov answered in the negative, emphasizing that this is the business of the Belarusians.