MINSK, 19 May (BelTA) - The president's Ordinance No.2 “On protecting the sovereignty and the constitutional order” of 9 May 2021 does not contradict the Constitution but complements it, Head of the Belarus President Administration Igor Sergeyenko said as he presented the document in the House of Representatives, BelTA has learned.
"The president signed Ordinance No.2 “On protecting the sovereignty and the constitutional order” in order to preserve the sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity of the state, and protect peace and order in the country. The document stipulates that in the event of the death of the president as a result of an assassination attempt, an act of terrorism, external aggression, other violent actions the country immediately declares a state of emergency or martial law. The Security Council defines a list of measures to ensure them. These measures may include, among other things, restrictions on freedom of movement, prohibition of mass events, curfews, ensuring security of persons and facilities and other activities," Igor Sergeyenko said.
The head of the President Administration stressed that the mechanism stipulated in the ordinance determines the procedure for implementing the constitutional norms and gives the Security Council as a collegiate body the necessary powers to organize effective governance of the country, to ensure the protection of the national interests of the Belarusian state, to preserve civil peace and harmony in the country. This mechanism will be used in emergency cases.
According to Igor Sergeyenko, the ordinance was prepared thoroughly, with the involvement of specialists and lawyers. "Therefore, the comments in certain media that the ordinance contradicts the Constitution are groundless. To a certain extent, this ordnance complements the Constitution,” he stressed. “According to Article 89 of the Constitution, whether the office of President falls vacant or the President is unable to discharge his duties, his power shall be transferred to the Prime Minister. The Constitution prescribes only three such cases. First, the President tenders his resignation and it is accepted by the House of Representatives. Second, the President may be prematurely removed from office where he is persistently incapable to discharge his duties on account of the state of his health. And third, the President may be removed from office for acts of state treason and other grave crimes. This ordinance refers only to an emergency situation when the president dies dies as a result of assassination, a terrorist attack, external aggression and other violent actions. This is why, as I said, the ordinance does not contradict the Constitution and complements it."
