Constitutional reform process in Belarus. Recent trends and developments
Constitutional reform process in Belarus. Recent trends and developments

Summary/Abstract: The need for change to the Belarusian constitution was announced long before the events of 2020, and both Alyaksandr Lukashenka and the opposition have initiated a process after the election. The opposition has emphasised the need for changes to the constitution by the political crisis while Lukashenka’s initial interest in constitutional reform was two-fold: to calm the protests and to assure Russia that he can maintain control over the situation. Based on an official proposal recently announced, the changes proposed by Lukashenka’s constitutional commission do not encompass substantive change to the existing non-democratic model, making it even more bureaucratic and slow. Progress to date indicates that the languid process serves as a way to quell the protests, secure Lukashenka’s influence as a potential head of the All-Belarusian Assembly, and assuage Russia – a key Lukashenka ally and backer – to accelerate a promised loan.

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