Justice ministry re-registers two pro-Łukašenka parties

June 23, BPN. The Ministry of Justice has re-registered the Communist Party of Belarus and the Liberal Democratic Party, its press office reports.

Both parties support Alaksandr Łukašenka’s repressive policies.

The re-registration involved necessary “verification measures,” Justice Minister Siarhiej Chamienka said.

“These parties have met all the requirements specified in the law on political parties,” the minister said.

Both the Communists and the Liberal Democrats “have implemented the designated unique goals and objectives,” he added. “The activities of these parties are aimed at the development of our state and, of course, at attracting people into their ranks.”

In early June, the ministry refused to consider a re-registration request from the opposition Belarusian Greens Party citing an incomplete application package.

The Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) and the “Just World” Belarusian Party of the Left, both in opposition to the government, applied for re-registration and are waiting responses.

On June 5, the United Civic Party (UCP), Hramada, the Belarusian Popular Front Party and the Greens called for the suspension of the new political parties’ law as unconstitutional.

On February 14, Alaksandr Łukašenka signed into law a bill governing political parties and public associations after it was rushed through the National Assembly. The new legislation would require all functioning parties to re-register. Critics fear that the reregistration campaign is just a pretext to shut down the few surviving opposition parties.

A week later, Chamienka said that the number of political parties in Belarus will drop from fifteen to three or four after re-registration.