February 11, Pozirk. The All-Belarusian People’s Assembly (UNS), a state body comprised of Alaksandar Łukašenka’s supporters, will convene in April. The Belarusian ruler has made the announcement to that effect at a meeting of his presidium.
Łukašenka is expected to deliver his address to the Belarusian people and the parliament and have the assembly confirm his appointments of judges, while the prime minister will present his report on social and economic programs for the first time, his press office reported.
Formed by Łukašenka in 1996, the UNS was given constitutional status after the controversial February 2022 referendum. Łukašenka was elected its chairman in an uncontested vote last year.
The UNS has a maximum of 1,200 members with a five-year mandate who must convene at least once a year to set out the strategic priorities for society and the government. The UNS powers include proposing legislation and constitutional amendments, approving foreign and domestic policies and impeaching the president. Earlier, Łukašenka said the UNS comprised his allies only.
The UNS should play its role without interfering in other state agencies’ activities, Łukašenka said today, warning against more “meetings, correspondence and formalism” as well as “pitting one government body against another.”
A few months ago, he also played down the role of the revamped UNS, stressing that it should not dominate other branches of power.
Also read: Łukašenka plays down role of All-Belarusian People’s Assembly
