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Experts put forward ideas for new Constitution
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MINSK, 10 March (BelTA) – Amendments to the Constitution should improve local self-governance and give a bigger say to political parties, experts told the SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper, BelTA has learned.
Head of the Constitutional Law Department at Belarusian State University, Doctor of Law, Professor Grigory Vasilevich suggested “dramatically reforming local governance and self-governance”. “This will encourage more people to get involved in the issues addressed by the state. We could as well give more powers to local councils of deputies, including economic powers, and consider giving the parliament a supervisory function. Much will depend on the Council of the Republic,” the expert said.
“The head of state undertakes responsibility for many unpopular decisions. This is about the status and responsibility of the president and his attitude to resolving issues. The head of state does not shy away from personal responsibility; he tries to get everything on the right track in the state. However, it is important to increase the role of the parliament and law-makers,” Grigory Vasilevich said.
Deputy Chairman of the International Affairs Commission of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Oleg Gaidukevich agreed that the powers of local authorities should be revised. He believes that local officials should be elected. “However, if we announce such elections today, they will be won by the richest candidates. We need to prevent this from happening. This can be done through political parties and a developed political system. In my view, amendments to the Constitution should strengthen the role of political parties and political institutions in general. We need a greater political party representation in our parliament,” the MP said.
“In order to do this, single-winner voting should be replaced by the mixed system or proportional representation. The bigger role of political parties will allow strengthening central and local government, and consequently the sovereignty and independence of the country,” he said.
Dean of the Philosophy and Social Sciences Faculty of Belarusian State University, Candidate of Sciences [History], Associate Professor Vadim Gigin noted that the process of amending the Constitution is not just a legislative procedure, but also a powerful ideological campaign. “The very process of amending the Constitution is a very important political process regardless of whether the amendments will be incorporated into the Constitution or not. It helps increase civic and citizenship engagement and accommodate public views. This can drive political behaviors and take stock of the things done in the legislative, political and cultural domains,” the expert noted.
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