Presidium of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly

Following the 2022 Belarusian constitutional referendum, regarded by the international community as unfree and unfair,^[1][2] the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, which had previously been an ad hoc body,^[3] was enshrined in the Constitution of Belarus as the "highest representative organ of the people's government of the Republic of Belarus" and given newfound powers.^[4]

As a result of changes proposed by President Alexander Lukashenko, the ABPA was given a presidium.^[5] The presidium was elected on 24 April 2024 as part of the 7th All-Belarusian People's Assembly.^[6]

The powers of the Presidium include the right to contest the legitimacy of presidential and parliamentary elections, the approval of judges proposed by the Presidential Administration of Belarus for the Supreme and Constitutional courts,^[7] and impeach the President of Belarus for "committing state treason or another such crime."^[b] It additionally maintains the right to declare a state of emergency or martial law and the authority to grant state awards.^[8] The Presidium is required to meet at least once every six months, compared to the ABPA, which is required to meet yearly.^[9]

The Presidium has been described by political analyst Arciom Šrajbman [be] as being similar to a politburo in that it demonstrates the closest members of Lukashenko's inner circle.^[10] Following the reveal of the Presidium's membership, Pavel Slunkin of the European Council on Foreign Relations stated that while international observers no longer had to speculate on Lukashenko's closest associates, he had still played it safe by selecting individuals with "limited political stature".^[11]

The Presidium comprises fifteen members, including the Chairman and his deputy.^[7] Its membership was elected on 24 April 2024 at the 7th All-Belarusian People's Assembly.^[6]