Lukashenka cancelled his “annual address”

Official informational agency BelTA reported 9 April that Alyaksandr Lukashenka was to address the Belarusian people and the “national assembly” today, on 22 April.

“The Belarusian head of state will make a speech at a joint plenary session of the “council of the republic” and the “house of representatives.” Top officials and government executives, directors of state organisations and national mass media, representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps are expected to be present in the Oval Hall along with MPs.” BelTA reported.

But the agency reports today Lukashenka has other plans:

“Alyaksandr Lukashenka will make a working trip to the Hrodna region, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service. High on the agenda will be the issues related to spring field work as well as the implementation of the state rural revival programme in the Hrodna region. Alyaksandr Lukashenka is to learn the organisation of the sowing of corn on the example of V. Baum agricultural production cooperative (the Iue district), and the prospects of the development of cattle breeding here. The president is also to visit the social and cultural institutions of the agrotown Heraneny.”