Łukašenka signs laws governing parliament

December 30, BPN. Alaksandr Łukašenka has signed a number of laws on the National Assembly in line with the amended Constitution.

Łukašenka’s press office says the amended law “On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus” provides for one parliamentary session – from September to June – instead of two. Extraordinary sessions would be convened by the houses’ chairpersons, not by Łukašenka.

The new legislation empowers the parliament to put questions to the prosecutor general and the heads of the State Control Committee and the National Bank. MPs would be able to improve local government.

Former presidents can become members of the Council of the Republic for life, subject to their consent.

If the role of a president becomes vacant, his or her powers are exercised by the upper chamber’s leader.

A number of powers of the National Assembly have been limited and transferred to the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly. They include electing judges to the Constitutional Court, picking the central election commission’s members and approving domestic, foreign and defense policy priorities.

Łukašenka also signed amendments to the law governing the lower and upper house members’ status.

It provides for parliamentarians’ participation in the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly and the boards of government agencies.

According to the amended law, the powers of house members and senators will be terminated if they are found to have foreign citizenship or other foreign documents that make them eligible for benefits abroad.