A glimpse of the Belarusian parliamentarism

The Belarusian parliamentary system has had a long life, which has been closely linked with the development of the country’s statehood. Belarus has seen almost all types and forms of representative democracy known in Europe. The roots of Belarusian parliamentarism are found in the Veche of Polotsk, the Seims of the Great Lithuanian Principality and Rzeczpospolita as well as in the State Duma of the Russian Empire. Under the Soviet power, the popular will was expressed at Belarusian National Congresses of Soviets, sessions of the Supreme Council of the Belarusian SSR and of the Republic of Belarus. On July 27, 1990 the Supreme Council adopted the “Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic”. In August 1991 political and economic independence of the country was proclaimed while the Declaration became a constitutional act. During the period Belarus functioned as a parliamentary republic. On March 15, 1994 a new Constitution of the country, which introduced presidency, was adopted. The President of the Republic of Belarus is the head of the State and of the Executive. In keeping with the amendments and addenda introduced to the Republic’s Constitution following a national referendum of November 24, 1996 the legislative power in the country is today ensured by the Parliament — National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, which comprises two chambers — the Council of the Republic and the House of Representatives.

Important dates