{"id":128805,"date":"2025-03-06T10:55:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T07:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/128805\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","slug":"lukasenka-reappoints-cabinet-prime-ministers-position-in-doubt","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/128805\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0141uka\u0161enka reappoints cabinet, prime minister\u2019s position in doubt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On March 3, Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka appointed ministers to the cabinet following his stage-managed \u201cre-election\u201d in January. However, it remains unclear whether Raman Ha\u0142o\u016d\u010danka will retain his position as prime minister.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n \"\"\n
\n \n
\n (wirestock \/ freepik.com)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Uncertainty over premier<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ha\u0142o\u016d\u010danka, who has led the cabinet for the past five years, is currently listed as the acting prime minister after his government resigned following \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s reelection, in line with constitutional procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While \u0141uka\u0161enka likely has no doubts about Ha\u0142o\u016d\u010danka’s loyalty, uncertainty remains. Ha\u0142o\u016d\u010danka was appointed to this position in June 2020, with the expectation that he would remain loyal to the regime in the event of mass anti-government protests. \u0141uka\u0161enka had previously lacked trust in Ha\u0142o\u016d\u010danka’s predecessor, Siarhiej Rumas, whom he viewed as a soft liberal and a potential sympathizer of the opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ha\u0142o\u016d\u010danka, who previously headed the State Defense Industry Committee\u2014an essential role, especially as Belarusian defense companies are now flooded with Russian orders\u2014also served as ambassador to the UAE for five years, fostering ties with the country. Given these credentials, it is clear why \u0141uka\u0161enka trusts him. Ha\u0142o\u016d\u010danka has shown no political ambitions and has managed to maintain economic growth while curbing inflation despite international sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There seems to be no obvious reason to dismiss him. Still, observers are puzzled by \u0141uka\u0161enka’s decision to establish a special commission to choose a new cabinet, especially if his intention was merely to reappoint Ha\u0142o\u016d\u010danka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n \"\"\n
\n
\n\n Raman Ha\u0142o\u016d\u010danka (left) at the "Give the Forest a New Life!" event\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (BelTA)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It seems unlikely that \u0141uka\u0161enka, who is not planning to step down anytime soon, would appoint a new prime minister who could become his potential successor. Furthermore, with the economy running out of steam and Russia\u2019s economic outlook darkening, a new prime minister would face additional challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing is clear: the next prime minister will be someone whose loyalty to the leader is unquestionable. Given \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s firm grip on power, it can be assumed that he trusts no one except himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Security officials keep their jobs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All top security officials retained their posts, which suggests that \u0141uka\u0161enka is satisfied with their repressive actions. Despite reports from The New York Times<\/em> claiming that \u0141uka\u0161enka promised to ease repression to US envoy Christopher Smith, it appears that the crackdown will continue unabated. For instance, Interior Minister Ivan Kubrako\u016d pledged on March 3 to tighten security ahead of next month’s All-Belarusian People’s Assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State propaganda claims victory<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information Minister Marat Marka\u016d also kept his job. \u0141uka\u0161enka instructed him to intensify the information war and maintain control over the narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minsk\u2019s information warfare strategy involves silencing critical voices and suppressing interpretations that do not align with the official line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marka\u016d, for his part, claimed that public trust in state-run media had risen by 21 percent since 2021, citing a survey commissioned by his ministry. State propaganda celebrates victory over independent media outlets, many of which have been shut down or driven into exile. Over 40 journalists are currently imprisoned, and exiled media organizations have been labeled as \u201cextremist groups,\u201d with their websites blocked in Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, these exiled outlets have faced drastic cuts in donor support following the US freeze on foreign aid. Operating profitably in exile has become almost impossible, as these outlets are cut off from Belarus’s advertising market. Despite this, \u0141uka\u0161enka remains aware of the influence of exiled media, which likely prompted him to instruct the information minister to catch up with international competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purges to continue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka has ordered reappointed officials to continue identifying and eliminating \u201cenemies of the state\u201d who may have been lying low. As reported by state-run media, he said, \u201cWhat kind of forgiveness can there be for individuals who deliberately break the law?\u201d He was referring to those who participated in mass protests against his re-election in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI say this in this circle because how can you forgive public figures? [They all were] public figures [representing] health care, education, media, culture and sports. Everyone is public. The whole nation saw that [they] violated the law and order and opposed the state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka also instructed Culture Minister Rus\u0142an \u010carniecki to ensure that artists remain unwavering in their support for the government. \u201cIf you are facing some dissent there . . . you must stop it. You are a statesman and they must be the same as you are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This statement underscores that loyalty, rather than merit, remains the key criterion for personnel selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A prime example of this is U\u0142adzimir Karanik, the former health minister, who was promoted to deputy prime minister for social issues despite his controversial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Karanik\u2019s failure to address the crisis effectively and his attempts to conceal the true death toll were widely criticized. However, his strict obedience to \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s orders earned him the promotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empty promises<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a speech to the reappointed ministers, \u0141uka\u0161enka tasked the cabinet with addressing the salary gap between Minsk and the regions. However, this goal appears unrealistic in the near future. In January, the average salary in Minsk was 3,332 rubels, compared to just 1,996.7 rubels in the Viciebsk region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By setting such ambitious and unattainable goals, \u0141uka\u0161enka seems to be preparing the groundwork for blaming his officials for future failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"