Lukashenko Removes Non-Nuclear Status and Neutrality from Belarus Constitution

The amendments also provide for the start of a power transition to his protégés.

Belarusian authorities have published a draft of amendments to the Constitution, with a referendum on them planned for February 2022.

In them, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus proposes removing the clause on non-nuclear status and neutrality, and will also initiate the procedure for a transfer of power.

Neutrality and nuclear status

The published draft of amendments to the Belarusian Constitution removes references to its non-nuclear and neutral status.

The changes concern Article 18 of the Constitution of Belarus. The proposal is to remove the phrase: "The Republic of Belarus aims to make its territory a nuclear-free zone, and the state neutral."

Instead, it is proposed to add the phrase: "The Republic of Belarus excludes military aggression from its territory against other states."

Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei recently spoke about the possibility of nuclear weapons appearing on Belarusian territory.

"We are considering the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus — this is one of the possible responses to future possible actions by the North Atlantic alliance on the territory of Poland," he said. 

Transfer of power

As expected, the president's powers will be reduced, while the powers of the body that previously had a declarative status — the All-Belarusian People's Assembly — will be officially defined.

The president is proposed to be deprived of the right to appoint members of the Central Election Commission, and to appoint and dismiss the chairs of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Higher Economic Court, as well as the chair of the State Control Committee.

At the same time, the All-Belarusian People's Assembly is to become an alternative to parliament, but with greater powers. Among them are the decision to impeach the president, recognize or not recognize elections and referendums, and approve the main directions of domestic and foreign policy, the military doctrine, and the concept of national security.

Despite expectations, the provisions do not mention early presidential elections. At the same time, parliamentary elections must be held at the time set by current legislation.

The new version of the Constitution limits the president's maximum time in office to two terms, but contains a provision that suggests a "reset" of Lukashenko's previous terms.

However, if Lukashenko decides on a "transfer of power," the new version of the Constitution provides him with lifetime status as a delegate of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, and also guarantees immunity by prohibiting his prosecution for actions committed while in the presidential post.

Lukashenko announced last year the preparation of amendments to the Constitution and a constitutional referendum. It is believed this was a concession to Russia, without whose help Lukashenko would not have been able to cope with the protests.

At the same time, Lukashenko previously promised repeatedly that early parliamentary and presidential elections would be held after the referendum.

The constitutional referendum is planned for February 2022, but its exact date has not yet been announced.