schema:articleBody
| - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed Monday he plans to change the constitution, during talks with counterpart Vladimir Putin in Russia, the Kremlin said. Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, began raising the question of changing the constitution several years ago. Since mass protests began after his controversial re-election in the August 9 vote, Lukashenko has presented this as a way to respond to public desire for social change. He has also proposed holding the next presidential polls early. "Lukashenko confirmed his intention to make changes to the constitution," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov after talks at Putin's residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. "So far we cannot give any details, naturally," Peskov said. The leaders did not issue final statements while Peskov summarised the talks in a conference call with journalists. "They talked for almost four hours," he said, calling their conversation "constructive, lengthy and substantive in content." Russia wants "everything that happens in Belarus not to be in the form of unconstitutional processes but within the framework of the law," Peskov said. The Belarusian strongman has said he wants to hold a referendum on reforms, although he has not made clear what these would be. He has suggested reducing the president's powers in appointing judges. Lukashenko has previously changed the constitution to increase his presidential powers. The opposition wants to change the constitution back to its original form, but Lukashenko has said this would be a backward step. Moscow has recognised Lukashenko as the legitimate president after he claimed victory in disputed elections that the main opposition contender Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says she rightfully won. mp-am/ach
|