Head of state Alexander Lukashenko wants to stay in office longer in Belarus – to do so, he has secured further powers in a referendum.
Update from 02/28/2022, 4:00 a.m.: In the shadow of the war in neighboring Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was assured of more power in a referendum on Sunday. According to a statement by the electoral commission in Minsk, around 65 percent of voters voted in favor of a constitutional amendment, with ten percent voting against, as the Tass agency reported on Monday morning.
The constitutional amendment is intended to allow Lukashenko, who has ruled with an iron fist since 1994, to be in office for more terms and to guarantee him lifelong impunity if he withdraws from politics. In addition, the future permanent stationing of Russian troops and nuclear weapons in the country should also be possible.
Belarus: Hundreds arrested
Update from Sunday, February 27th, 2022, 9:47 p.m.: According to human rights activists, hundreds were arrested during the controversial constitutional referendum to consolidate the power of Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko. The human rights group Wesna listed the names of more than 300 people arrested on Sunday evening. The videos published by the human rights activists show how people were taken away by police officers and larger groups demonstrated.
According to the electoral commission, 79.4 percent of those entitled to vote took part. The opposition around civil rights activist Svetlana Tichanovskaya had previously criticized the fact that a vote was impossible under the conditions of political repression and the unfree media.
Belarus: Lukashenko puts a vote on extending power
First report from Sunday, February 27th, 2022, 12:09 p.m.: Minsk – Three days after the start of the war in Ukraine*, a referendum on changes to the constitution will be held in neighboring Belarus on Sunday, which will allow the head of state Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in office since 1994, to close the former Soviet republic Russia* would connect. In the vote, which the opposition has classified as illegal, the Belarusians are to decide, among other things, on lifelong immunity for ex-presidents and a limitation of the term of office to two terms – which, however, will only come into force with the next presidential election.
This means that the 67-year-old Lukashenko could stand for two more elections and remain in power until 2035 if he wins the elections. In crushing the mass protests after Lukashenko’s controversial re-election in August 2020, the ruler in Minsk could count on the help of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Belarus: staging area for Russian forces in the Ukraine war
He used Belarus as a staging area for his armed forces, which also invaded Ukraine from there on Thursday. According to Lukashenko’s wishes, the constitution of Belarus should also be changed so that Russian troops and nuclear weapons can be stationed permanently in the country in the future. (ktho/afp) *fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
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