MINSK, 26 May (BelTA) – The adoption of Decree No.2 of 9 May 2021 “On protection of sovereignty and constitutional order” was solely my initiative, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with MPs, members of the Constitutional Commission and representatives of the government bodies on 26 May, BelTA has learned.
The president noted that there have been various threats against him throughout his presidency: “They have been trying to kill me for 25 years. Especially right after all the elections. It has always been like that. We just never talked about it. Then they switched to my children. Then the trend was not just to kill, but to take the children as hostages. Now it has acquired a very dangerous edge. You see who works there. They have understood who the main figure here is. As they say, the one who holds everything together: once he collapses, everything will collapse,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Speaking about the adoption of Decree No.2, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that it was his initiative. “I had to protect my child, Belarus.”
“Of course, I did not expect that I would have to do it [sign the decree]. However, I am not particularly worried about this step. On the contrary, I am warning the Security Service: there must not be any unnecessary disturbances, you are responsible for the life of the president and you must ensure his safety,” the head of state said.
As BelTA reported earlier, Decree No.2 is aimed at preserving the independence and sovereignty of Belarus. It stipulates that in case of the president's death as a result of an assassination attempt, an act of terrorism, external aggression or other violent actions, all government bodies and their officials shall act in accordance with the decisions of the Security Council, whose sessions are chaired by the prime minister. In this case, a state of emergency or martial law shall be introduced in the country, and the Security Council shall determine the list of necessary measures.
