Mr. President's Elections
Presidential elections are to be tomorrow in Belarus. The most known candidate, I think, is Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who has been ruling the country for the last 16 years. What can I say about the person who is the President of my native country greater part of my life? (I'm not so good at math, but seems it's a bit less than a third part of his own life)
In 2005 the article 369 (1) was added to the criminal code of the Republic of Belarus. It stipulates arrest up to 6 month or deprivation of liberty up to 2 years for 鈥渟haring with a foreign state, foreign or international organization wittingly false information about political, economic, social, military or international situation in the Republic of Belarus, legal position of citizen of the Republic of Belarus, that is discreditable for the Republic of Belarus or its government (Discredit of the Republic of Belarus) 鈥... So I鈥檝e turned to the to be as accurate as possible telling about him. It says:
1. Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko is one of the most well-known politicians of the present-day Belarus.
(True :)
2. On the 10th of July 1994, as a result of difficult election campaign involving five other contenders from the whole spectrum of the country's political forces, A.G. Lukashenko was elected the President of the Republic of Belarus.
3. A.G. Lukashenko is the Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Belarus Armed Forces; he heads the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus. He is Chairman of the Supreme State Council of the Union of Belarus and Russia.
4. Indeed, A.G.Lukashenko is a more radical reformer than others who are enjoying the reputation of reformers.
(Also true:)
5. In September 2001 Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko was reelected President of the Republic of Belarus by the overwhelming majority of votes (75.65%).
In the Russian version we also can read:
鈥 Referendums of 1995-1996 defined constitutional organization of the country, solved language problems, approved state symbols, in so many words supported union with Russia.
(It means that Russian language became state too; new State Flag (red-green instead of white-red-white) and new State Emblem were confirmed as well as changes in the Constitution.)
鈥 People appreciated the President鈥檚 work and voted for his right to take part in the presidential elections-2006 at the Referendum in 2004.
6. Despite an unprecedented external pressure and the attempts by some countries to blatantly interfere in the internal affairs of Belarus, Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko scored a convincing victory at the elections in March 2006, in which 83 percent of the electors voted in his favour, and he was reelected as the Head of the Belarusian State.
There is a joke that according to the next new law, just those who already were a president at least 2 terms would have the right to take part in elections:) but don鈥檛 tell on me, please ;))
Status of the President:
From the Article 79:
鈥 The President shall enjoy immunity, and his honour and dignity shall be protected by the law;
From the Article 84:
鈥 have the right to abolish acts of the Government;
鈥 have the right, in instances specified in the law, to defer a strike or suspend it for a period not exceeding three months;
Article 85.
The President shall issue decrees and orders on the basis and in accordance with the Constitution which are mandatory in the territory of the Republic of Belarus.
In instances determined by the Constitution, the President shall issue decrees which have the force of the law. The President shall ensure directly or through specially formed bodies the execution of the decrees, orders and instructions.
You can read more
Couple of years ago the country was introduced the President鈥檚 third son, when the little boy started to appear with him often. Now Nikolay visits , , and with his father.
Besides Lukashenka there are 9 more candidates in a bulletin. The opposition invites people to the square to act against the falsification, though the country had such an experience once before...
听
Comment number 1.
At 18th Dec 2010, Ania wrote:Veronika,
I'm glad you like our only one Polish tube :).
There are some concerts organized in Warsaw as a tribute to your nation and a sign of support and solidarity with Belarus.
Several times I've seen some youth wearing white-red-white flags on their jakcets and schoolbags.
Supposing you're not an imperialist :),I wish you fulfillment of your dreams about your homeland!
All the best to you and your nation!
Ania
Ania
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Comment number 2.
At 19th Dec 2010, Tereza wrote:Hi Veronika,
thanks for your post, I was very interested in this topic. Well, it does not seem so bad as I thought. But the article 369 is scary...
How does the election look like in Belarus? I mean the process of voting. I understood that you have thy system of direct vote. In Czech republic, the president is voted by Government, which is something that most of the people dislike.
I wish you and your country that the best candidate win.
Tereza
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Comment number 3.
At 19th Dec 2010, Pary wrote:Hi dear Veronica ,
At first I say well done for the great Job you have done already . It was interesting to know more about Minsk , it 's cultural places , old district , national library ,tube and 鈥. .I liked the view of the Isle of tears ! Is it located in the city river ? If yes how about to talk a bit about it ? When there is a river specially a big one in a city at least I think it has big meaning for the city , don't you think so .
By hte way bast wishes for today vote , I wish the best person will be voted ....
Sorry for my late comment I had a long weekend . I can guess how much you have dedicated your time for this month Blog and I appreciate it !
see you around and bye
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Comment number 4.
At 19th Dec 2010, Filippo wrote:Hi again Veronika!
No matter the result of the election, I wish all the best for your country!!
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Comment number 5.
At 19th Dec 2010, Aitor Artaiz wrote:Hi Veronika,
I am sorry but I hardly know anything about Belarus. However I would like to learn on your country and your blog is really good, so thanks.
I am afraid of systems in which the same person is in office for years. It sounds like a kind of dictatorship.
I hope this election will be good for improving your people's life.
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Comment number 6.
At 19th Dec 2010, Antonio wrote:Dear Veronika,
it seems that, once again and for the fourth time, Lukashenka (I don't understand why for Italians is: "Lukashenko", in every web site...) has won the election.
Here critics are hard against him... but I think we're the last ones with the right to speak!
Maybe tomorrow we could write about that... now it's my daughter's time!
Good night,
Antonio from Italy
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Comment number 7.
At 20th Dec 2010, Veronika wrote:Dear friends! thanks a lot for your warm wishes!
Everything repeated here.
But i hope everything will be ok ;)
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Comment number 8.
At 20th Dec 2010, Aitor Artaiz wrote:Dear Antonio,
Everybody have the right to speak on freedom. All of us are world citizens.
Thanks
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Comment number 9.
At 25th Dec 2010, Valery wrote:Hello Antonio!
May I try to help you with your question (I don't understand why for Italians is: "Lukashenko", in every web site...)?
There are two state languages in Belarus, it is Russian and Byelorussian.
It writes as Lukashenka in Byelorussian language and Veronika used this form. But in Russian it is Lukashenko and I think this writing is more correct because 1) The President of Belarus is Russian-speaking leader, 2) He signs official international documents as Lukashenko. That's why your Italian sites are right.
Good bay Antonio. God bless your daughter!
P.S. Excuse me for my English, I began to learn language only three months ago.
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