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The second session of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress will take place in Minsk this week, on 18-19 December. Preparations for this large-scale forum have been long and thorough. It was initially expected to be held in the spring; however, there is no need for haste in such matters, as treating such events, and this is one of the most important political events in the life of our country, as a mere formality is a path to nowhere. The Belarusian People’s Congress is set to approve the program for the country’s social and economic development for the next five-year period. Belarusian head of state Aleksandr Lukashenko will address the Belarusian people and parliament. Furthermore, delegates will need to resolve a number of personnel matters. What is known about the upcoming session, how do the authorities view the immediate future of the country, and what danger did the president warn about? We have gathered the key points about the event in this article.
The history of the Belarusian People’s Congress
The Belarusian People’s Congress needs no introduction. However, it was only a couple of years ago, in February 2022, that it received constitutional status, transforming from just a platform for brainstorming and discussing prospects into the highest representative body of people’s power in Belarus. Decisions of the Belarusian People’s Congress are now mandatory for implementation and can override legal acts of state bodies and officials if they contradict national security interests, with the exception, of course, of acts by judicial bodies.
The first Belarusian People’s Congress was held in 1996. It was a time of economic chaos and political conflict. Life demanded urgent decisions, and at that time, only the people had the right to decide their own fate, as Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
However, there is an opinion that the history of the Belarusian People’s Congress began long before that. Historian Igor Marzalyuk recalled the ancient Belarusian veche, our age-old tradition of popular governance.
“The veche was a popular assembly, though participation was not universal. Initially, only adult married men with full legal capacity, who defended their country when necessary, meaning they bore arms, and owned property could participate. It’s important to understand that these were primarily heads of households. Later, representatives of the most important and significant clans took part. But the most crucial aspect was that this veche represented all strata, all groups of the free population (in this case, of the Polotsk land),” he explained.
Who becomes a delegate to the Belarusian People’s Congress
According to the law, the maximum number of delegates to the Belarusian People’s Congress is 1,200. These individuals are primarily representatives from all branches of government, local Councils of Deputies, and civil society, i.e. various social strata and groups within the country.
In this structure, representatives from the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of power, as well as deputies of the Minsk City Council of Deputies, are delegates to the Belarusian People’s Congress by virtue of their positions. Representatives from other local Councils of Deputies, as well as from civil society, are elected in the manner prescribed by law.
You can read about the individuals of the Belarusian People’s Congress, the ordinary people, in our dedicated section of the same name. We considered it important to introduce you to those who represent our country’s interests, to share their values, views, and what motivates the people involved in shaping Belarus’ future.
What was discussed at the first session of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress
The first session of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress was held in April 2024. Notably, this forum was conducted for the first time in its new status as a constitutional body, which determines the strategic directions for the development of society and the state and ensures the inviolability of the constitutional order, the continuity of generations, and civic accord.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has extended greetings to Kenyan President William Ruto as the country celebrates Independence Day, BelTA learned from the Belarusian leader’s press service.
“More than 60 years ago, the Kenyan people defended their right to independence and their own development path,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. “Today, Kenya is Africa’s economic and diplomatic powerhouse, playing a constructive role in continental processes and in resolving pressing international issues.”
The head of state noted that Belarus considers Kenya a reliable partner in East Africa and is committed to intensifying cooperation. “I reaffirm our interest in strengthening long-term, sustainable ties in bilateral trade, industrial cooperation, scientific and technical collaboration, humanitarian exchanges, and other areas, as we agreed during our meeting in Nairobi at the end of 2023,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed confidence that William Ruto’s forthcoming visit to Minsk will enable the launch of concrete economic projects for the benefit of the citizens of both countries.
The Belarusian president wished William Ruto good health, personal happiness, and continued success, as well as peace and prosperity to the people of Kenya.
Participants of the international conference “Modern economic challenges and their impact on labor relations, the socio-economic situation of workers,” held in Minsk on 11 December, issued a statement on the negative impact of sanctions, BelTA learned from the press service of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus.
As previously reported, trade union representatives from 27 countries attended the forum. The conference discussed the impact of unilateral coercive measures on workers’ rights, sustainable development of countries and global security, the decreased level of worker protection amid economic digitalization and the rapid expansion of non-standard forms of employment, as well as the need for consolidated efforts by the global trade union movement to protect workers’ interests under these circumstances. The outcome of the discussions was a statement by the forum participants.
“The constantly growing tendency of imposing sanctions and other economic restrictions and barriers by a number of states contradicts international law and severely violates the fundamental right of workers to work, enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and relevant conventions of the International Labor Organization,” the statement reads.
Conference participants drew attention to the fact that in various states, including those imposing sanctions, their application leads to rising unemployment, declining wages, deteriorating working conditions, and the spread of informal employment. Sanctions also have an extremely negative impact on human social rights.
“As a result of sanctions, the sustainable development of states is generally undermined, and a real threat to food and planetary security arises. Sanctions are always a step towards another escalation. A step towards further social upheavals. Global peace cannot be defended through further division. It cannot be based on economic wars and blockades,” the statement emphasizes.
According to the forum participants, workers in all countries want stability and the opportunity to work without artificial barriers and restrictions in order to be able to secure a confident future for themselves and their children. And the peoples of all states need policies that promote equality and sustainable development.
“In this situation, the global trade union movement must unite and act as a united front against measures that violate people’s basic rights to fair and favorable working conditions, to freedom from hunger, necessary social guarantees and medical care, to a decent standard of living in general. The International Labor Organization, as a specialized institution for protecting the right to work and the right to basic social and economic guarantees for people, must cease its practice of encouraging illegal unilateral coercive measures, which contradicts international law and the organization’s charter. The ILO must take a historically important step for all the world’s workers and adopt real measures aimed at countering sanctions,” the statement underscores.
Amid the rapid digitalization of the economy, trade unions worldwide and the International Labor Organization must also give consideration to developing measures to protect workers’ rights in atypical employment, representatives of trade unions from different countries are convinced.
“As a result of technological development and the increasing spread of digital platform employment, millions of workers worldwide face a lack of guaranteed wage levels, stable employment, paid leave, sick pay, pension rights, and protection in case of work-related injuries. But technological progress should expand opportunities for workers, not worsen their situation. The new challenges of the modern world oblige us to consolidate trade union approaches, strengthen social partnership in order to jointly discuss and develop innovative ideas and principles aimed at ensuring basic labor and social guarantees,” the statement says.
“Our goal is to preserve the rights and achievements of workers, to strengthen peace and dialogue in the interests of all peoples. Our voice must be heard,” the forum participants concluded.
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Venezuela to Russia Jesus Rafael Salazar Velasquez, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Not so long ago you and I discussed a series of problems in our relations and the situation around Venezuela. Back then we agreed that you should clear some matters with the leadership of Venezuela, with Nicolas Maduro. We agreed that once certain problems and issues are reconciled, you will find the time to come to me, meet with me once again so that we could make an appropriate decision within our competence. And if necessary, we may get the president of Venezuela involved later on.”
BelTA reported earlier that Aleksandr Lukashenko already had a meeting with the Venezuelan ambassador to Russia on 25 November. The president stated that relations between the two countries should be more intensive and advanced. The head of state asked the ambassador to convey an invitation to visit Belarus to the Venezuelan president but he also did not rule out the possibility of his visit to Venezuela. “I will endeavor in every way to find the time and visit Venezuela. The times are problematic, complicated, and hard. Nevertheless, one can find a way out of any circumstances and situations. You just have to aspire for it,” the Belarusian leader stated during the meeting in November.
The conflict in Ukraine has weakened and disarmed Europe, eroding the EU’s capacity to act as an independent entity, Bulgarian political analyst Plamen Paskov said in a new episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA’s YouTube channel.
The analyst noted that some EU officials have openly stated that Europe must be ready for war with Russia by 2030. However, he questioned the logic behind such a position, pointing out that the European Union is not a sovereign entity.
“Europe is a mixed bag, essentially without an independent agenda. Therefore, Europe would be pushed into such a war with Russia. But this would not be like the times of Napoleon or Hitler, when a largely unified Europe fought against Russia. Napoleon and Hitler had entirely different motives,” Plamen Paskov argued.
Reflecting on the nearly four-year-long conflict in Ukraine, Plamen Paskov identified one of its results as the weakening and disarmament of Europe, as well as the region’s growing subordination to Washington. “Europe has become a tiger with its teeth pulled, a tiger no larger than Tabaqui the jackal. Europe has been disarmed and stripped of its energy base. Without energy, there can be no industry. That means rising unemployment and a worsening demographic crisis. Europe will find itself in a situation similar to Germany’s after World War I,” concluded Plamen Paskov.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has extended greetings to the staff of Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU) as the university marks its 105th anniversary, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.
The head of state noted that the university, established during the period of Soviet industrialization, made a significant contribution to the development of the nation’s industry.
“Today, the legendary university is a recognized advanced scientific and industrial center, both in our country and far beyond its borders, where high-class technical specialists are trained,” the message of greetings reads.
The president noted that BNTU graduates construct residential complexes and bridges, build roads and subway lines, and develop modern machinery, thereby facilitating the modernization and strengthening of the sovereign Belarusian economy and making people’s lives more comfortable.
“I am confident that your team will continue to successfully implement advanced methods and technologies, train and educate professionals devoted to their homeland, and enhance the national heritage of the country,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
Aleksandr Lukashenko wished all BNTU employees good health, happiness, prosperity, and new labor achievements for the benefit of their native Belarus.
In a new episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA’s YouTube channel, military and political observer Mikhail Onufriyenko reflected on what awaits Vladimir Zelensky after the massive corruption scandal in Ukraine’s energy sector.
“Zelensky faces resignation and then a trial. This is a decades-old practice used by the Anglo-Saxons,” stated Mikhail Onufriyenko. “It demonstrates their extreme cynicism toward their own puppets, whom they install as temporary leaders in various countries. This was the case with Ngo Dinh Diem in South Vietnam and with Pinochet after he lost power. There are countless other leaders who were disposed of once their usefulness expired and they were always disposed of with maximum efficiency for those who brought them to power.”
The analyst expressed confidence that the West possesses damaging material on everyone it promotes to leadership. The same, he asserts, applies to Vladimir Zelensky. “I have been saying this from the very beginning. It will all end with the Americans, at the necessary moment, announcing that they have ‘unexpectedly’ uncovered corruption in the Kiev regime, which was stealing money from American taxpayers,” he emphasized.
According to Mikhail Onufriyenko, Washington is currently between two phases, the latter of which will necessitate Vladimir Zelensky’s removal. The observer believes the corruption scandal could have been orchestrated, among other reasons, for this very purpose. “We know that FBI officers are stationed within NABU [the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine]. Everything that became public in November had been known beforehand. They simply chose the right moment to bring Zelensky to heel,” he concluded.
Western countries are undergoing militarization and it is important that we update defense measures, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting of the Security Council in Minsk on 9 December, BelTA has learned.
The head of state noted that great attention is being paid to military security and national defense. This is particularly relevant given the global situation and the militarization of the West. “We cannot ignore this very mobilization and militarization," Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. “These countries are not spending vast amounts of money on, as they say, countering Russia and Belarus for no reason. We do not intend to attack anyone. We have enough of everything."
In this regard, the head of state stated the need to update Belarus' defense measures. “We need to update our defense measures so that everyone sees we are ready to defend every patch of our land,” the president emphasized.
The Union State of Belarus and Russia stands ready to counter threats coming from the West, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Igor Sergeyenko said at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Moscow on 9 December, BelTA has learned.
“We are going through a difficult period of history when not only the future of the Union State but also the fate of the whole world depends on our efforts. Today NATO countries are openly preparing for a major war, implementing detailed plans for rearmament, building up relevant infrastructure and logistics. The alliance is stepping up its military presence near our western borders, and even discussing the possibility of launching preventive strikes against Russia,” Igor Sergeyenko said.
“We stand ready to counter these threats. The ratification of the Union State security guarantees treaty this year authorizes the employment of the full range of available forces and capabilities to defend against any potential external threat,” the chairman of the House of Representatives stated.
“Issues of protecting the allied borders have always been at the forefront of the Parliamentary Assembly’s attention. And today, the tasks related to implementing the Union State’s security concept, military-technical cooperation programs, modernization and logistical support, and developing border security remain among our top priorities,” Igor Sergeyenko noted.
“However, maintaining and building up defense capabilities directly depends on how strong, self-sufficient, and resilient the economies of Belarus and Russia, and the Union State as a whole, will be,” he emphasized.
During his visit to Algeria, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko exchanged gifts with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria. Footage of the gift exchange ceremony was aired on Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko brought the Algerian leader a replica of the famous Slutsk sash, a saber with Belarusian symbolism, a tea chest with fragrant honey and jam, and also Belarusian sweets.
“Here is the jam, prepared according to a Belarusian recipe. Very healthy!” the Belarusian president assured his Algerian counterpart.
“This is chocolate, and these are our sweets. They’re called marshmallows. You will like them; they are not as sweet as yours,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The Belarusian president was presented with a dagger and a cloak made of camel wool, which is considered a symbol of nobility and dignity, as well as traditional Mediterranean delicacies.
