Alyaksandr Lukashenka has stated that he plans to sign a decree on the transfer of presidential powers to the Security Council if there was such a need in the country, BelTA reports.
Lukashenka spoke about this document a week ago at a subbotnik. Thus the decree is to become one of the most important decisions of his presidency. Now he says he is preparing a plan “B” in case of a successful attempt on his life:
“If the president gets shot, the Council will be empowered the next day. A state of emergency must be declared instantly, up to and including the military law, if anyone on the border makes a move. And the Security Council has to make a decision. That’s why I said that I would sign the decree and determine who would govern the country “in case of emergency”.
Lukashenka stressed that he was “ready for anything, but only to save my and your country.”
Mikhail Pastukhou, a former judge of the Constitutional Court, Doctor of Law, has stressed that such a document violates the Constitution:
“According to the current Constitution, if the president’s office is vacant, the powers go to the prime minister. The Security Council is in charge of the entire power bloc. It means that the power is transferred to the power bloc – this is against the Constitution and against the principles on which the Belarusian state is based. Obviously, It would be an unconstitutional decree.”
According to the expert, even the very formulation of the issue contradicts the law adoption order: “That is not the way the laws are written when it comes to “if something happens.” There must be an unequivocal certainty. And conditions of assumptions are not characteristic of the lawmaking process.
Pastukhou stressed that such issues should by no means be decided by decree:
“According to the current Constitution, such issues should be put to a referendum.
The expert believes that Lukashenka may adopt such a document and ignore the violation of the Constitution because during his rule such documents “questionable from a democratic and constitutional point of view” have been adopted more than once.
Who is on the Security Council?
According to Alyaksandr Lukashenka, these people should take collective responsibility in case of the head of state’s death. Decisions will have to be taken by secret ballot, by majority vote.
As of today, the Security Council has the following composition:
1) Alyaksandr Lukashenka
2) Prime Minister Raman Halouchanka
3) Chairperson of the Council of the Republic, Natallia Kachanava
4) Chairman of the House of Representatives Uladzimir Andreichanka
5) Head of the Presidential Administration Ihar Syarheyenka
6) State Secretary of the Security Council Alyaksandr Volfavich
7) Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Kubrakou
8) Defense Minister Viktar Khrenin
9) Chairman of the State Security Committee Ivan Tsertsel
10) Chairman of the Supreme Court Valyantsin Sukala
11) Chairman of the State Control Committee Vasil Herasimau
12) Attorney General Andrei Shved
13) Chairman of the National Bank Pavel Kalaur
14) Chairman of the Investigative Committee, Zmitser Hara
15) Minister of Foreign Affairs Uladzimir Makei
16) Minister of Emergency Situations Vadzim Sinyauski
17) Minister of Finance Yury Selivestrau
18) Chairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee Dzmitry Pantus
19) Chairman of the State Border Committee Anatol Lapo
20) Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Minister of Defense Viktar Hulevich
belsat.eu
