Lukashenko mentioned referendum again :: Charter'97 :: News

Alexander Lukashenko is going to prolong his presidential powers “in the case of emergency in Belarus”. He announced this news on Friday during the press conference organized for Russian regional mass media outlets in Minsk. “I have prevented opposition, if they lead the situation to nonsense, for me it would be the first reason to prolong my presidential powers”, - stated the Belarusian leader.

He reminded that according to the Belarusian Constitution he “doesn’t have the authority to stand for the third term”. At the same time, according to his words, the main law can be changed throughout the referendum when people can let Lukashenko to participate in these elections.” Belarusian leader emphasized that if he decides to be a candidate for the third time, it would be via constitutional way. “The point is not - to be president or not to be. But I think also about people who are next to me. He brought to attention that “opposition is sharpening their sabers deciding who will be knifed and who will be hanged.”

“Even I go away, I’ll do it via referendum in order to hear people say: ‘No, Lukashenko, we don’t agree to give you the third term”, - noted he emphasizing that the opinion of the official Moscow doesn’t interest him, as he knows perfectly well Putin’s position. “We affected this issue on way or another many times and Putin takes very accurate and moderate stand.” – declared Lukashenko.

At the same time the president noted, “It’s early to take decision right now as I am on the halfway of my presidential powers yet.” As deemed by the president, nothing betokens the possibility of any political fights if not in case of emergency. But, underscored he:” Still I don’t see any preconditions for emergency”.