{"id":126381,"date":"2025-02-14T17:06:56","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T14:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/126381\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","slug":"officials-propose-presidential-elections-by-bureaucrats-not-voters","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/126381\/","title":{"rendered":"Officials propose presidential elections by bureaucrats, not voters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Belarus’ information minister and top election official have suggested that presidents should be elected by the All-Belarusian People\u2019s Assembly (APA)\u2014a gathering of loyal supporters of Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2014rather than by the general public.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n (pexels.com)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chinese democracy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a recent interview, Central Election Commission Chairman Ihar Karpienka supported the idea, which was initially floated by Belarus’ long-time ruler, that the APA should elect presidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information Minister Marat Marka\u016d, who hosted the discussion on the state-controlled ONT<\/em> television channel, emphasized \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s “uniqueness” and claimed that patriots are advocating for changes to Belarus\u2019 electoral system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karpienka agreed, citing the “Chinese model” as an example and noting that such a system warrants further discussion. He argued that a one-party dictatorship is more effective than Western democracy. The talk show was aired just weeks before the next APA session, which is scheduled for April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The APA delegates are not elected by voters; instead, they are handpicked by the political elite, making the assembly a closed club of bureaucrats and loyalists. In 2022, the APA was granted substantial powers and has since been misrepresented by state propaganda as the “people’s assembly.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s system is becoming increasingly disconnected from the public, with voters virtually locked out of the political process. The electoral system may continue to drift further from democracy, not only because the Belarusian strongman is growing older but also due to the mentally traumatic protests that followed his controversial re-election in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In five years, it will likely become more difficult for him to run a campaign, yet he remains reluctant to relinquish power. This could make Marka\u016d\u2019s proposed scenario a reality: a “proactive” APA delegate might suggest that only “trusted individuals” elect the leader in the name of stability. And, of course, \u0141uka\u0161enka would not be able to refuse\u2014after all, he claims that he is not clinging to power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Controlled elections<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a meeting with religious leaders on February 10, \u0141uka\u0161enka declared that the January presidential election had gone exactly as he had expected\u2014”quietly, peacefully”\u2014comparing it to the unrest of 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka presented his single-choice election system as the perfect model, though his regime still has a long way to go before it resembles North Korea. The Belarusian ruler appears to favor the Chinese system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, he expressed regret for not having proposed the election of presidents by the APA, similar to China. In his view, direct elections only destabilize the country. \u0141uka\u0161enka argued that “professionals” should make such decisions, not voters who are allegedly unfamiliar with politics. Essentially, he believes Belarusians are not mature enough to handle elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously, he allowed opposition candidates to run in elections, confident in his control over the process. However, the 2020 protests undermined his confidence, and now, he insists everything must be “quiet and peaceful,” with the public sidelined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The APA, in this context, serves as a gathering of loyal \u201cprofessionals,\u201d masters of opportunism and leader-worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Political competition equated with violence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s view, “quiet and peaceful” are the essential criteria for successful elections, in stark contrast to the electoral chaos in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo we need a show? No. If we staged a show across the country and started shooting at each other\u2014aiming at the ear or the head\u2014well, would that be \u2018fun\u2019?\u201d he said earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka avoids real political competition, falsely presenting it as violence. In many countries, however, elections are both democratic and peaceful, while he offers a false dilemma: a choice between peace and bloodshed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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