MINSK, 9 August (BelTA) – In the course of redistribution of powers from the president to other government bodies the number of those willing to assume such responsibilities has decreased. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement during a meeting with representatives of the general public, experts, and mass media titled as the Big Conversation with the President on 9 August, BelTA has learned.
The head of state was asked whether government officials vie for the opportunity to gain additional powers.
Aleksandr Lukashenko responded that according to his observations there is a reverse trend: the number of those willing to assume additional responsibilities dwindles because additional powers entail additional responsibilities. “The number of those willing to assume these powers has decreased because they will be made responsible for these powers and the president will still oversee everything. What if someone assumes authority but fails to discharge responsibilities because he or she fails to do the job properly, breaks the law and so on? For my part I step up control but I give away powers,” he stated.
Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that a number of decisions had been made recently to transfer some powers from the head of state to other government agencies. For instance, matters of control and regulation of humanitarian activities were delegated to the Humanitarian Activities Department of the Belarus President Property Management Directorate and the Belarus President Administration.
The government keeps working out proposals on transferring powers from the president to government agencies. “We transfer the powers little by little. But the government is no longer in a hurry. I wonder why. Because I closely follow these matters: if you assume authority, then you bear the responsibility. And after thinking about things some people decided to let the president continue authorizing some things and deciding on other things. Whether some are afraid of responsibility or not but the desire to get these powers has decreased. I can see that,” he stated.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that the redistribution of presidential powers is still on the agenda and these matters will be settled this year.
