Vladimir Putin won`t become head of the Russia-Belarus Union Will the Russia-Belarus Union be established in 2006? :: Charter'97 :: News

A new state called the Russia-Belarus Union could appear on the political map as soon as March 2006. All that`s required is the goodwill of two presidents - Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko. Even that, however, won`t enable them to extend their periods in office.

Alexander Veshnyakov, chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), said at a press conference yesterday that a new state called the Russia-Belarus Union could appear on the political map as soon as March 2006. All that`s required is the goodwill of two presidents - Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko. Even that, however, won`t enable them to extend their periods in office.

According to Veshnyakov, the draft Constitution for the Russia-Belarus Union is ready. This document will be presented to the Supreme State Council (both presidents) by November 15.
Veshnyakov said there will be two possible options after that. If Putin and Lukashenko find the document unsatisfactory, they could send it back to the bilateral commission headed by speakers of both parliaments. Otherwise, they will approve it - and then the draft Constitution will be put to the vote at a referendum on March 12 or the second Sunday of October, 2006 (the two days of the year when referendums are possible).

Veshnyakov was asked if the referendum would require amending the Russian Constitution or passing any new laws. "The Constitution is a direct action document," he replied, meaning that it would not need any additional laws. As for electing a parliament for the Russia-Belarus Union, its upper house will be composed of members from the upper houses of both existing parliaments, while its lower house will be elected "in accordance with the laws of both nations."

Veshnyakov also answered a question nobody asked, but everybody wanted answered: about the possibility of a third term in office for Putin. There is much speculation nowadays that Putin might become president of the Russia-Belarus Union. But Veshnyakov said this is impossible. "Take a look at the draft Constitution, and you`ll see that it doesn`t inclued the office of head of state. All decisions are made by the Supreme State Council - a body that already exists," Veshnyakov explained.

In other words, the composition of the supreme governing body of the Russia-Belarus Union will certainly change by 2008 - if the Russia-Belarus Union is formed by then, of course. Veshnyakov says that the decision on the referendum may yet be postponed. Perhaps even permanently.

Translated by A. Ignatkin

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, October 25, 2005, p. 2
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