Lukashenka signed the law on the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed the law “On the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly” (VNS). This was reported by Interfax with reference to the presidential press service.

“The purpose of the document is to implement the constitutional norms on the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly, to consolidate its legal status as the highest representative body of democracy, and to determine the procedure for the formation and operation of the Supreme People’s Assembly,” the report says.

The delegates of the National Assembly include the head of state, the president, who has ceased to exercise his powers, representatives of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities, local councils of deputies, as well as civil society.

“The Assembly has no right to replace other state bodies, to perform their functions, to interfere in their activities,” the statement says.

The competence of the SPC is determined in accordance with the Constitution, in particular, it provides for the authority to remove the president of the country from office, elect the head and members of the CEC, the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, introduce a state of emergency or martial law on the territory of the country, consider issues of sending military personnel outside Belarus to participate in ensuring collective security and peacekeeping activities, submit proposals to the president on holding a referendum.

According to the document, meetings of the SPC are held at least once a year. Meetings of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Council – at least once every 6 months.

“The implementation of the law will give a new impetus to state development. The ANC, formed on a democratic basis, will perform stabilizing and consolidating functions in society,” the presidential press service stressed.

In February 2022, at a referendum in Belarus, amendments to the Constitution were adopted, in particular, the powers of the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly were expanded.