Belarusian MPs could influence regional development more

Members of the parliament could be involved more actively in the management of the development of the Belarusian regions, Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich said in an interview with the Zvyazda newspaper.

The Speaker of the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament said that MPs are sometimes criticized for the lack of active involvement in resolving local problems and for the inability to use effectively the rights and powers vested in them. “In many cases, these critical comments are justified. The MPs work in close cooperation with local executive authorities, and they could be involved more actively in the management of the economic and social development of the Belarusian regions and promote efficient use of the local natural resources, workforce, finances, land other resources,” Mikhail Myasnikovich believes.

He pointed out that in the present-day conditions, the activities of local councils of deputies aimed to advance the social and economic development of the regions cannot be considered in isolation from the ideological work. “In this context, it is necessary to step up the work of local councils of deputies with youth associations, unions of school and university students to enhance their political awareness, moral perspectives, social and civic engagement. All this should create additional resources (intellectual, human ones) for improving the well-being of the population in the regions,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.

The Chairman of the Council of the Republic also stressed that enhancing the living standards of the Belarusian people is the main objective of the state policy and a strategic task for the MPs that includes five major components, namely nuclear family, health, education, real income, and quality of life. “It is through their prism that we should look at all our further activities. MPs, local government and public authorities should be actively involved in the effort to achieve this objective. In their work in the regions, members of the Council of the Republic pay special attention to the problems that hinder the development of the territories under their jurisdiction and impede the improvement of people's well-being,” Mikhail Myasnikovich added.

He stressed that “new technologies, modern enterprises are a good thing, but we should focus on people, on everything connected with life, culture and people's well-being.”