The Belarusian leadership mulls a political reform; security forces extend repressions

President Lukashenka reiterated possible amendments to the Constitution aimed at strengthening legislative and executive powers. Before the 2^nd European games, law enforcers extended pressure on civil society and the opposition for unauthorized public activity.

The president has reiterated the idea of amending the Constitution or adopting a new one. Potential amendments, such as restricting the presidential powers, introducing a proportional election system, strengthening the legislative and executive branches of power, are being discussed. At a roundtable discussion, Central Electoral Commission head Yarmoshina outlined her proposals for amending the Constitution and electoral legislation. In particular, among other things, she proposed to reduce the minimal requirement for citizen’s signatures to nominate a presidential candidate, to abolish the recall of deputy procedures, to dissolve village councils, to elect local executive committee heads. In addition, the president traditionally spoke about envisaged gradual democratic transformations at a meeting with the leaders of constitutional courts of foreign states.

The Belarusian leadership appears to be ready to amend the existing legislation on political parties, however, concrete proposals for amendments yet have not been discussed. The Justice Ministry has created a working group to elaborate amendments to the law on political parties and included human rights activist Aleh Hulak and Social Democratic Party leader Ihar Barysau as its members. A bill amending the law on political parties is scheduled to be submitted to parliament by September 2019.

Meanwhile, Olha Kavalkova, co-chair of the organizing committee for the creation of the Belarusian Christian Democratic party, was handed a fine for participating in the Chernobyl Path, an unauthorized meeting held on April 26^th in Minsk. Moreover, the president has repeatedly criticized the work of the Interior Ministry. Notably, Interior Minister Ihar Shunevich has been in his position for seven years, and given the conventional personnel rotation policy, his replacement may happen soon.

Should the constitutional reform be implemented, there may be some improvements in the legal framework for activities of political parties, including the oppositional ones. However, the authorities are unlikely to embark on significant political reforms.