Events

Lukashenko: Government might be dismissed if fails to meet economic targets

MINSK, 23 March (BelTA) – Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that the government might be dismissed if it fails to achieve key economic objectives by 1 April 2014. The President made this statement as he spoke with reporters on 23 March, BelTA has learnt.

The head of state admitted that the economic situation in Belarus is difficult. Both internal and external factors are to blame for it. “You see what is happening around. The Kazakhstani tenge was devaluated, the Russian ruble was devaluated, too, and keeps weakening, and the Ukrainian economy collapsed. Europe is going through some hard times, too. These are our sales market; we sell 70% of the output. We are dependent on them in this regard. We should be realistic and keep in touch with reality. We are not gods, we cannot do everything. We have to back down to avoid shocks. Inflation is the way to back down,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
 
When asked who might become Belarus’ next Premier, Alexander Lukashenko said that he had not made up his mind yet. However, he said that there is a group of officials who might be considered for the post. In his words, this group is not so big and comprises about 35-40 people. These people are competent and know what is going on in the economy. This group includes 11 senior officials, ministers and governors. “Premiers do not come out of nowhere. They are in the spotlight and you see them,” Alexander Lukashenko underlined. He noted that if a decision is made to appoint a new Premier, everything will be done in line with the constitution: “The President will suggest a candidate and submit this suggestion to the parliament for approval, you (journalists – BelTA’s note) will discuss these candidates in detail; nobody will muzzle you, we have total democracy in this respect”.

At a session to discuss issues in the manufacturing industry held on 4 February, Alexander Lukashenko expressed his dissatisfaction with the negative trends in the industry and demanded that the government should rectify the situation during the first quarter of 2014. The President pointed to the increase in the external accounts receivable, reduction in exports, and poor financial performance of manufacturing companies. The head of state reminded about the session held in June 2013 to discuss issues in the manufacturing industry and exports. Back then, concrete assignments and tasks were given.

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