Łukašenka appoints US-educated economist to senior administration position

March 7, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has appointed Alaksandar Jahoraŭ as deputy head of his administration.

“You are very young. You see my policy: generations change and new people emerge. That’s how it should be, nothing should be frozen,” Łukašenka told Jahoraŭ, as quoted by his press office.

“And I thought about putting the deputy head of the administration at the top of that pyramid. But I need a young and fresh perspective. I have thoroughly examined your candidacy and background.”

He warned Jahoraŭ that he should be ready to “express an alternative point of view.”

“I know your relations with some leaders. You would supervise some of them if you get the job. . . .

“And to express your opinion sometimes, different from the opinion of the government, ministers and the National Bank. So you should be ready for it.”

Jahoraŭ, a mathematical economist by training, holds degrees from Belarusian State University and Williams College (USA).

He held senior positions at the Ministry of Economy in 2012–15 and Biełarusbank in 2015–19.

He was deputy chairman of Biełarusbank’s board from 2019 and chairman of the Development Bank’s board from 2021 and until his appointment.

Last month, the head of Łukašenka’s administration, Ihar Sierhiejenka, was awarded a seat at the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Belarusian National Assembly.

His successor has not yet been named.